Now’s a good of a time as any to try an inventive spin on your holiday dinner. You don’t have to sulk about missing out on the Honeybaked ham or the fried turkey. There are taste worthy, meat-less dishes that will satisfy even the most carnivorous among us.
Test the waters with these recipes that boast ingredients that are complimentary to any dish sans meat or not. (www.peta.org).
DINNER:
Rosemary- and Hazelnut-Encrusted Seitan
1 cup hazelnuts, toasted
3 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced
2 cups flour
3-5 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. seitan cut or shredded into large chunks and marinated overnight or
1 box chicken-style White Wave Wheat Meat, available at health food stores.
Salt and pepper, to taste
• Place the hazelnuts and rosemary in a food processor and blend until fine. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the flour, and stir to combine.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip the seitan chunks in the hazelnut mixture and coat completely (if the seitan does not come packaged in liquid, dip each piece in a little bit of water first). Put the seitan pieces in the oil and fry until lightly browned and crispy on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot with Red Wine and Shallot Gravy (see recipe).
Makes 4 to 6 servings
Dessert:
Apple Bavarian Torte:
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. vegan margarine, chilled
3 apples, peeled, cored, cut in half, and thinly sliced
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup white sugar, chilled
1/4 tsp. plus 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup flour, chilled
1 8-oz. package nondairy cream cheese (try Tofutti or Galaxy brand)
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup sliced almonds
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Oil a 9-inch springform pan.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon margarine. Toss the apples with the brown sugar and cinnamon and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain off and reserve the liquid.
- Cream together 1/2 cup margarine, 1/3 cup white sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and the flour. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the springform pan. Set aside.
- In a food processor, blend together the nondairy cream cheese, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, cornstarch, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Pour this mixture over the crust and spread the apples on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Drizzle with a couple of spoonfuls of the reserved apple liquid, avoiding the edges of the pan, and continue baking for 25 minutes.
- Sprinkle almonds over the top of the torte. Continue baking until lightly browned. Cool before removing from the pan.
Makes 6 to 8 servings
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