Trying something new

I’ve found myself struggling for inspiration more than usual lately. I’ve been worried that this blog, much like barbershop, is in danger of growing stale. Being me, I sat down and made a list of “features” I could introduce to help me stay interested and interesting. One of the ideas I liked the most was writing more about the cooking and baking that I do. Not only would blogging about cooking give me something new to write about – it would also give me an excuse to try new recipes and experiments. So, I’m going to try to have one post per week be dedicated to cooking or baking.

To start, I’ll write about a new recipe I tried this weekend. It’s called Vegetarian Toad in the Hole, and it is very easy. Also, it’s easily adaptable for you meat eaters out there. I got the basic recipe from New Vegetarian Entertaining, by Jane Noraika, which is a great cookbook.

First, you make the batter.

¾ cup all-purpose flour
a pinch of sea salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
8 vegetarian sausages
½ red bell pepper, cored and seeded, thinly sliced
safflower oil for cooking (I used olive oil)

Put the flour and the salt in a bowl. Make a well in the middle and add the beaten eggs. Beat vigorously, adding the milk as you go, until the mixture is smooth. Put in the refrigerator to rest for 30 minutes.

Take 8 vegetarian (or real) sausages – I used Boca Italian sausages – and cook them according to the package directions. When cooked, cut them in half crosswise.

Fill 8 cups of a muffin pan with 1/8 of an inch of oil. Heat in a preheated oven at 475 degrees for about ten minutes or until the pan and the oil are very hot. Spoon the batter in to the muffin cups, filling about halfway, then put some sausage pieces and red pepper slices in to the batter. The recipe calls for sprinkling thyme on top, but I think I might mix thyme in to the batter next time. I also think I might chop my sausage pieces up smaller.

Put the muffin tray(s) on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes until golden and well risen. The batter will puff up to surround the sausage and pepper slices.

Top with gravy and serve.

Gravy recipe (this is not the recipe used in New Vegetarian Entertaining. It is my own gravy recipe, and I prefer it)

Small amount of chopped onion and garlic
½ Tbs olive oil
2 cups vegetable broth
2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
½ teaspoon dried thyme
2 Tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tablespoons of water
¼ cup milk

Sautee the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft. They should be pretty finely chopped, so it will only take a couple of minutes. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a low boil. Stir in the soy sauce and thyme. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture and continue to stir for one minute, until thickened. Reduce heat and add milk, stirring until completely mixed in. If you want vegan gravy, soy milk will work as a substitute.

Enjoy!