PEA AND HAM SOUP
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
2 garlic cloves, whole
1 bay leaf
3 peppercorns
3 sprigs thyme
1 medium sized ham hock
8 cups (2 L) water, approximately
2 cups (500 ml) split peas
3 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, roughly chopped
2 cups (500 ml) frozen peas
1 cup (250 ml) chopped parsley
½ lb (500 g) smoked pork loin, cut or shredded into bite-sized pieces
½ cup (125 ml) crème fraîche, for garnish
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
- In a piece of cheesecloth, add garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns and thyme and tie with kitchen string. Place herbs and ham hock in a large saucepan and add 8 cups (2 L) water, or enough to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once it boils, reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, occasionally skimming off fat.
- Remove ham hock and cheesecloth from stock. Season to taste. Add split peas, carrots, onion and celery. Bring soup to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender and split peas are soft. While soup is cooking, defrost frozen peas.
- In a blender, blend half of the soup with defrosted peas and parsley. Once blended, add back to saucepan and reheat.
- In a saucepan with a bit of water, warm pork loin pieces until they are hot, about 2 minutes. Serve soup in bowls and garnish with crème fraîche, smoked pork loin and chives.
Drink Pairings
MAPLE PUMPKIN CASHEW “CHEESECAKE” WITH SALTED CARAMEL
Ingredients
Serves 10
1 cup (250 ml) raw cashews
1 cup (250 ml) pecans, divided
1 cup (250 ml) rolled oats
¼ cup (60 ml) almond flour
¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut
1¾ tsp (9 ml) salt, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) coconut oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ¾ cup (175 ml) maple syrup, or more to taste, divided
1 x 15 oz (450 g) block firm tofu
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can pumpkin purée
¼ cup (60 ml) + ½ cup (125 ml) coconut cream , divided
1 tsp (15 ml) agar agar (can be omitted for a softer cake)
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cardamom
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground nutmeg
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
½ lemon, juice only
½ cup (125 ml) vegan butter
½ cup (125 ml) brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) white sugar
1 cup (250 ml) candied pecans, for garnish
coconut whipped cream, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line the bottom of a 9-in (2.5 L) springform cake pan with parchment paper.
- Boil water and pour over raw cashews in a heatproof bowl. Set aside for 20 minutes.
- To make crust, in a food processor, place pecans, oats, almond flour, shredded coconut and 1 tsp (5 ml) salt. Pulse until combined. Add coconut oil and 2 tbsp (30 ml) maple syrup and pulse again until incorporated. Mixture should stick together when pinched.
- Drop mixture into cake pan. Wet hands with water and press mixture down to form an even crust. Bake for 10 minutes, rotate and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown and toasted. Remove and let cool completely.
- While crust is cooling, make filling. Strain cashews and place into a high-speed blender with tofu, pumpkin purée, ¾ cup (175 ml) maple syrup, ¼ cup (60 ml) coconut cream, agar agar (if using), ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Blend on high until silky. Line the sides of springform pan and pour pumpkin mixture on top of the crust. Smooth the top and refrigerate for a minimum of 8 hours, overnight for best results.
- To make salted caramel, in a small sauce pan on medium heat, melt butter with brown and white sugar. Using a whisk, stir until sugar has dissolved completely. Turn off heat and whisk in ½ cup (125 ml) coconut cream and ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt. Pour into a small container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To serve, crumble candied pecans over top and drizzle with salted caramel. Serve topped with coconut whipped cream.
Drink Pairings
ROASTED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS WITH VERDE SAUCE
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
5 small parsnips, scrubbed, but not peeled
10 small carrots, peeled
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
½ jalapeño, to taste
½ green pepper
1 bunch cilantro, leaves only
4 sprigs mint, leaves only
2 garlic cloves
1 cup (250 ml) vegan sour cream (Available at specialty grocery stores)
½ lime, juice and zest only
¼ cup (60 ml) pumpkin seeds, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- If parsnips are large, cut in half lengthwise. Place parsnips and carrots on a large baking sheet, dress with oil and season with salt. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until soft and golden brown.
- To make Verde Sauce, place jalapeño and green pepper on a separate baking sheet and bake alongside the parsnips and carrots for 15 minutes. In a blender, add cilantro, mint, garlic, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest and cooked peppers. Blend on high for a couple minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve roasted carrots and parsnips on a platter with sauce on side or drizzled over. Garnish with pumpkin seeds.
Drink Pairings
FARRO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND KALE
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
4 tbsp (60 ml) olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups (750 ml) kale, de-stemmed, chopped
2 cups (500 ml) farro, cooked in vegetable stock
2 cups (500 ml) butternut squash, cubed and roasted
½ cup (125 ml) dried cranberries
½ lemon, juice only
¼ cup (60 ml) pumpkin seeds, toasted
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil. Add garlic and kale and sauté until soft. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a large salad bowl, add sautéd kale, farro, butternut squash and cranberries. Dress with remaining oil and lemon juice. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and season to taste.
Drink Pairings
MUSHROOM WELLINGTON SERVED WITH PLANT-BASED GRAVY
Ingredients
Serves 10 to 12. Makes 2 Mushroom Wellingtons
4 tbsp (60 ml) sunflower oil, divided
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot
2 cups (500 ml) mushrooms
½ cup (125 ml) walnuts
2 cups (500 ml) cooked lentils
½ cup (125 ml) crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
1 cup (250 ml) frozen peas
salt and pepper, to taste
2 sheets vegan puff pastry , thawed (Available at specialty grocery stores)
2 tbsp (30 ml) all-purpose flour
PLANT-BASED GRAVY:
1 tsp (5 ml) liquid vegetable base (Available at specialty grocery stores)
1½ cups (375 ml) boiled water
2 tbsp (15 ml) vegan butter
1 tbsp (15 ml) all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium heat, heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
- For filling, cut carrot into 4 pieces and using a food processor, pulse until rice-size. Remove and repeat for mushrooms and walnuts. Add all pulsed ingredients and lentils into skillet with onions and garlic. Cook for 10 minutes then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and peas. Cook for another 10 minutes, or until everything has softened. Season to taste. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C)
- For crust, on a lightly floured working surface, unroll sheets of pastry. Place cooled mushroom mixture on 1 side of each sheet of pastry lengthwise. Fold remaining pastry over mushroom mixture. Press down to seal edges. Using a knife, gently score top of pastry with a design of choice. Brush tops of both pastries with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Repeat for second pastry. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- For PLANT-BASED GRAVY:
- In a bowl, whisk together liquid vegetable base and water until dissolved.
- In a medium saucepan on medium heat, heat vegan butter until melted. Add flour and stir until roux is golden brown. Add bouillon water mixture and stir. Once gravy has thickened remove and serve.
Drink Pairings
DORO WOT SERVED WITH INJERA
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
Injera Flatbread, to serve, make ahead, recipe follows
1 lb (500 g) unsalted butter
4 shallots, chopped
8 garlic cloves, chopped
4 tsp (20 ml) chopped fresh ginger
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) nutmeg
1 tsp (5 ml) turmeric
1 tsp (5 ml) fenugreek seeds
1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano
8 green cardamom pods, crushed
3 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 lbs (1 kg) bone-in chicken thighs
1 tbsp (15 ml) salt
1 tsp (5 ml) pepper
3 tbsp (45 ml) Berbere spice (Available at specialty grocery stores)
1 tbsp (15 ml) ground ginger
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped garlic
2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
1 tbsp (15 ml) sweet paprika
2 cups (500 ml) chicken stock
4 soft-boiled eggs, peeled
2 lemons, juice only
FOR INJERA FLATBREAD:
¼ cup (60 ml) teff flour
¾ cup (175 ml) all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 cup (250 ml) water
vegetable oil, for greasing
Instructions
- Make Inerja Flatbread, if desired, recipe below.
- Make a spiced butter: in a small saucepan over low heat, melt unsalted butter. Skim off foam that rises to top. Continue until butter is clear. Then add chopped shallots, 8 chopped garlic cloves, fresh ginger, ground cumin, nutmeg, turmeric, fenugreek seeds and oregano. Add cardamom pods and allow to cook for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cooled, strain spiced butter through a cheesecloth and put into a clean container. Yields about ½ cup (125 ml) spiced butter, reserve 4 tbsp (60 ml) for Doro Wat and save remainder for another use. Can keep refrigerated for up to 1 month.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat 3 tbsp (45 ml) of spiced butter. Add sliced onions and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until caramelized, stirring occasionally. While onions are cooking, season chicken with salt and pepper, set aside.
- Once onions are a deep brown colour, add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) spiced butter, Berbere spice, ground ginger and 2 tbsp (30 ml) garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until garlic has softened. Stir constantly so it doesn’t burn. Add tomato paste, paprika and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add chicken, stir to coat and turn heat down to a low simmer. Cover and allow to cook for about 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked and tender.
- Add eggs and stir gently so that they are covered in sauce. Cover and allow to cook for about 5 minutes, then turn off heat and allow to sit for an additional 5 minutes before cutting eggs in half and serving with Injera Flatbread, if desired, recipe follows.
- INJERA FLATBREAD In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all ingredients, except oil, until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. Batter will ferment, it will have a slightly sour and sweet smell and will slightly foam.
- Dip a paper towel in vegetable oil and lightly wipe a 10-in (25 cm) nonstick frying or crêpe pan. Heat pan over medium heat. Whisk batter so that it comes together (it may separate). Pour about ⅓ cup (75 ml) batter into heated pan and turn pan so that batter spreads evenly over it. Bubbles will appear, continue cooking until bread is firm to the touch. Do not flip, it is only cooked on 1 side. Remove bread to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm. Will keep for up to 1 day if wrapped tightly, best served same day.
Drink Pairings
MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND ALMOND PIE
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
3 medium onions, finely chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) salt
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) ginger, finely chopped
2 tbsp (30 ml) Ras el Hanout spice (Available at specialty grocery stores.)
1 small cinnamon stick
½ tsp (2.5 ml) saffron threads soaked in 1 tbsp (15 ml) warm water
4 lbs (2 kg) chicken legs and thighs, bone-in, skinless
1 cup (250 ml) ground almonds
3 tbsp (45 ml) sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon, plus extra for garnish
2 cups (500 ml) chopped flat leaf parsley
1 cup (250 ml) chopped cilantro
4 eggs, whisked slightly
1 package brik1 pastry or phyllo pastry, defrosted (Available at specialty grocery stores.)
½ cup (125 ml) melted butter
powdered sugar, for garnish
sliced almonds, for garnish
saffron threads, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- To make filling, in a large saucepan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add onions and salt and cook for about 15 minutes until onions are golden brown. Stir occasionally so as not to burn. Add garlic, ginger, Ras el Hanout, cinnamon stick, saffron and its liquid and chicken. Add enough water to just cover chicken. Cover with a lid and simmer over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes, or until chicken is tender and can shred easily when pierced with a fork.
- While chicken is cooking, in a frying pan over medium heat, toast ground almonds, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. In a small bowl, mix toasted almonds with sugar and ground cinnamon and set aside.
- Remove chicken from braising liquid and set aside to cool slightly. Remove cinnamon stick from braising liquid and continue cooking without lid. Reduce liquid to a sauce consistency. Remove from heat, add chopped herbs and stir. Let filling mixture cool.
- Shred chicken, discard bones, then add meat to filling mixture along with eggs. Stir to combine.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- In a 9-in (2.5 L) round springform pan, layer 6 pieces of brik or phyllo pastry, brush with melted butter between each layer. Layer pastry so that it goes up and over sides of pan. Pour in filling and top with ground almond mixture. Put 6 layers of pastry on top of filling, brushing with butter between each layer. Roll edges of bottom and top pastry together to form a crust. Brush top with butter.
- Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown. Let cool for 30 minutes, then remove outer ring of pan and continue to cool. Can be served at room temperature or warm. Garnish before serving.
Drink Pairings
DUKKAH SWEET POTATO SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 medium-sized sweet potato, peeled and cut into wedges
2 small red onions, peeled and cut into wedges
6 tbsp (90 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) dukkah spice (Available at specialty grocery stores)
1 tbsp (15 ml) salt, plus extra, to taste
pepper, to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) labneh
1 cup (250 ml) cooked quinoa, cooled to room temperature
3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice
1 lemon, zest only
1 tsp (5 ml) chopped parsley
1 tsp (5 ml) chopped mint
½ cup (125 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
2 handfuls baby greens
¼ cup (60 ml) Macedonian-style feta (can substitute for regular feta), broken into chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- In a large bowl, toss together sweet potatoes, onions, 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, dukkah spice, 1 tbsp (15 ml) salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for about 30 minutes, or until tender and golden brown, turning halfway through.
- Spread labneh on a serving plate, then add quinoa. Arrange sweet potatoes and onions on top.
- In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and herbs, toss dressing together with cherry tomatoes and baby greens.
- Arrange tomatoes, greens and feta on salad and drizzle with remaining dressing. Sweet potatoes and onions can be served warm or at room temperature.
Drink Pairings
CHICKEN AND LEEK POT PIES
Ingredients
Serves 4
4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
1 tsp (5 ml) salt, divided
½ tsp (2.5 ml) pepper
½ cup (125 ml) oil, divided
2½ cups (625 ml) button mushrooms
1 cup (250 ml) finely chopped shallots
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1½ cups (375 ml) finely chopped celery
3 cups (750 ml) finely sliced leek, white portion only
½ cup (125 ml) butter
¼ cup (60 ml) flour
½ tsp (2.5 ml) white pepper
1 cup (250 ml) milk
½ cup (125 ml) chicken stock
2 tbsp (30 ml) Dijon mustard
¼ tsp (1 ml) Tabasco
½ tsp (2.5 ml) paprika
1 pinch nutmeg
1½ tbsp (22 ml) white vinegar
2 lbs (1 kg) pie pastry dough
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 ml) water
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt and pepper. In a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat, fry seasoned chicken in 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil, until fully cooked through to an internl temperature of 165 F (74 C). Remove from pan and set aside to cool. Cut into 1 x 1-in (2.5 x 2.5 cm) chunks and reserve along with any juices.
- In same pan, add another 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil and fry mushrooms, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add to chicken.
- Using same pan, heat remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) oil and sauté shallots, garlic, celery and leeks, until shallots become translucent. Add butter and stir until melted. Evenly sprinkle flour and continue cooking for another minute. Season with ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt and white pepper.
- In a small bowl, stir together milk, chicken stock, Dijon mustard and Tabasco. Add to leek mixture and stir. Mixture will thicken within seconds. Add chicken and mushrooms along with any accumulated juices. Season with paprika and nutmeg. Stir in vinegar, cover frying pan or wok and remove from heat. Set aside to cool.
- Roll out pastry dough to about ¼-in (0.5 cm) thick and cut in to ½-in (1.25 cm) strips to form lattice to cover top of serving dishes. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking tray. Alternatively, simply cut pastry into shape of serving dishes and poke holes on surface with a fork. Note: cut about ¼-in (0.5 cm) more than edge of dish as pastry will shrink when baked. Reuse scraps to make leaves or flowers, as desired. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- Lightly whisk egg and water to create egg wash and brush over surface of pastry. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. When ready to serve, reheat chicken filling and evenly divide into four 4 x 4-in (10 x 10 cm) square dishes that are about 1½ to 2-in (3.75 to 5 cm) deep. Cover with baked pastry and serve.
Drink Pairings
BRAISED BEEF VOL-AU-VENT
Ingredients
Serves 6
1½ lb (750 g) puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
3 tbsp (45 ml) water
2 lbs (1 kg) chuck roast beef, cut into 1½-in (3.75 cm) cubes
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
1 tsp (5 ml) pepper
2 cups (500 ml) chopped bacon
6 tbsp (90 ml) oil, divided
1 cup (250 ml) chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup (250 ml) cubed carrots, approximately ¾ x ¾-in (2 x 2 cm)
1 cup (250 ml) chopped celery
1 bottle (750 ml) red wine, such as pinot noir, divided
1 bouquet garni (3 sprigs thyme, 3 sprigs parsley and 2 bay leaves tied together with kitchen string)
4 tbsp (60 ml) butter, divided
1½ cups (375 ml) pearl onions, peeled
2 cups (500 ml) button mushrooms
2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
thyme leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Unroll puff pastry onto clean lightly-floured surface. Using a 3-in (8 cm) round cookie cutter, cut 12 discs and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a 2-in (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut into centre of 6 discs. In total you should have 6 x 3-in (8 cm) discs, 6 x 3-in (8 cm) rings and 6 x 2-in (5 cm) discs. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C) and adjust rack to centre position.
- Prepare egg wash by lightly whisking egg with water. Remove chilled pastry from refrigerator. Work quickly to make sure pastry is still cold and stiff while assembling. Lightly brush surface of 6 large 3-in (8 cm) discs with egg wash. Stack 6 rings over discs, do not press pastry together. Freeze pastry shells for about 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and lightly brush surface of smaller 2-in (5 cm) discs and pastry shells with egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes or until pastry shells have risen and are golden brown in colour. Turn off oven and leave door slightly and safely ajar to let pastry cool in oven for about 1 hour. Once completely cooled, you can store in airtight container for up to 1 day.
- Preheat oven to 325 F (170 C) and adjust rack to lower third position.
- Season beef with salt and pepper, set aside. In a large Dutch oven, fry bacon until edges start to brown. Using slotted spoon, remove fried bacon and set aside. In same Dutch oven over high heat, working in batches, sear sides of cubed beef, 1 minute on each side until evenly browned. Adjust heat as needed to ensure bottom of pan does not burn. Remove beef and set aside in a large bowl.
- Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil, onions, garlic, carrots and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes. Cover with lid for first minute to help vegetables sweat. Then remove lid for remaining 4 minutes. If bottom of pan starts to burn, lower heat and continue sautéing until vegetables darken in colour and no liquid remains. Add ƒ cup (75 ml) wine to vegetables and scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Add reserved beef to Dutch oven along with any accumulated juices, bacon, remaining wine and bouquet garni. Cover and transfer to preheated oven for 2 hours.
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter with 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Sauté pearl onions until they begin to turn golden brown, set aside in a bowl. In same pan, add remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter and 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil and sauté button mushrooms until tender. Remove and add to pearl onions.
- Remove beef from oven after 2 hours and add pearl onions and mushrooms. There should be very little braising liquid left, if not, cook uncovered over medium heat until most liquid is reduced to about 1 cup (250 ml). Season to taste. Add balsamic vinegar, stir and cover to let beef rest for at least 15 minutes.
- To serve, spoon braised beef into pastry shell and garnish with thyme leaves. Place 2-in (5 cm) baked pasty discs as a lid and serve.