April 28, 2006
Vegan Samosa
I found samosas at Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton, they made them fresh there and I purchased them hot with a nice chutney on the side. I got a little hooked on them so when I received my most recent Chicago Tribune, Food and Drink Newsletter with an article about samosas and a recipe so I could make them at home, I was thrilled.
Reading the article is a little frustrating, it's all about ordering them from any number of take-out and delivery places in Chicago, though she does not mention if a vegan variety is available. No matter, I can get neither take-out or delivery from Chicago, which is 120 miles from me. I am going to make this easily veganized (by me) version myself...as soon as I find the inspiration and the time.
Vegan Samosas
Makes 20 to 30
Ingredients:
2 medium baking potatoes
2 cups flour, plus a bit
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) soy margarine
2 Tbsps. plain soy yogurt, better than sour cream or plain soymilk
1/4 cup or so ice water
1 onion, chopped
1 fresh jalapeno chili, finely chopped, or a pinch of ground red pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tsps. grated fresh ginger
Salt and pepper
1/3 Tbsps. prepared curry powder
1/2 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
Vegetable oil
1. Boil: Dice potatoes, tumble into a saucepan, cover with cold water and set over high heat. Boil until soft, 5-10 minutes. Drain.
2. Knead: Measure flour and 1 teaspoon salt into the food processor; pulse to blend. Cut half the soy margarine into bits, add to the flour; pulse to combine. Add the plain soy yogurt, better than sour cream or plain soymilk and pulse a few more times. With the machine running, add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time through the feed tube. As soon as the dough forms a ball, stop. Turn out and knead 1 minute by hand. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
3. Soften: Melt 1 tablespoon remaining soy margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and chili and cook, stirring, until the onions soften, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, salt, pepper and curry powder; 1 tablespoon for mild samosas, 3 tablespoons for spicy. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons soy margarine; when melted, add the potatoes, raise the heat a little and cook until potatoes begin to brown, 8 minutes. Add peas, cook 2 more minutes. Adjust seasoning; the mixture should be spicy but not fiery. Cool the filling while you roll out the dough.
4. Shape: Knead the dough a few seconds, sprinkling with a little flour if necessary. Break off a ping-pong ball of dough and, flatten with a rolling pin to a thin oval. Cut in half the short way. You now have 2 humped triangles. Run a wet finger around the edge of one. Mound about 1 tablespoon potato mixture in the center. Pinch the sides together over the filling, forming a tall pyramid, which, when stood on its small end resembles a wizard's hat. Keep finished samosas covered with a damp kitchen towel while rolling and filling the rest.
5. Fry: Pour oil into a large deep saucepan to a depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. Fry the samosas a few at a time, turning once or twice, until golden brown, 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels or paper bags. Serve immediately or keep warm in a low oven. These are nice plain or with chutney.
Posted by Denise at 04:20 PM | Comments (5)
April 26, 2006
Thanks to Everyone...
Thank you all so much for the comments and condolences about my mom. I very much appreciate it.
I'm back home in Michigan... longing for a Whole Foods Market: One of the few things I miss about mall-ville, Boca Raton, Florida. Now I'm driving on dirt roads, hearing about the frost that might effect the fruit trees tonight on the news, and watching the buds on the trees turn to leaves.
More vegan food soon...
Posted by Denise at 01:32 AM | Comments (3)
April 08, 2006
I lost my mom today
It was a tough fight we put up together, she doing all the work of course. It lasted over 6 weeks for her, I was here for over 4 straight. Her heart was just too damaged from the attack to come back.
My mom was a very special person. Not vegan, but she loved Soy Boy ravioli and anything with tofu in it. Even though she was very traditional, she'd try any food I offered with a totally open mind. Just the way she was and a whole lot more I won't go into.
I will miss her very much.
She loved as well as was... a peach.
Posted by Denise at 06:21 PM | Comments (22)
April 01, 2006
Snapea Crisps
Hey, look at this:
Snapea Crisps, by Calbee SNACK SALAD.
I am always looking for alternative snacks, especially vegetable based. These Snap peas that taste fried, but are actually baked, were an interesting find. They don't taste too much like snap peas (which I love), and that was a bit of a disappointment. They have a very delicate crunch, much less crunchy than fresh snap peas. They come in two flavors, Original and Caesar, the latter I suspect is not vegan.
I happened upon a bag of the Original flavor at the Publix right around the corner from the hospital my mom is in. Not exceptionally crunchy, but I did eat the whole bag in less than half an hour.
Posted by Denise at 11:11 AM | Comments (10)
