Vanilla-Yogurt Pound Cake

Another one from my friend  . . . . . . . We had this on Easter. It was amazing!

1/2 cup vanilla soy yogurt

1/2 cup blended silken tofu (blend first, then measure)

3/4 cup vanilla or plain soy milk 

1 1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp lemon extract or grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp orange extract or grated orange zest

2 cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons arrowroot powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

For the sugar I put in a little less (1 cup) and I used date sugar. For the oil, I used half oil and half applesauce. For the flour I used whole wheat pastry flour. I didn't have arrowroot powder, so I did some combination of cornstarch and additional flour. To make those two bunnies, I  1 1/2 the recipe. So, this will make a little less. 

Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease and flour a 9x5 loaf pan. A metal pan with dark finish is best. 

In a large bowl combine soy yogurt, blended tofu, soy milk, sugar, oil, and extracts. Use an electric mixer to beat until smooth, about 2 min.

Sift in the flour, arrowroot, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir with a rubber spatula to combine, then beat with mixer for 1.5-2 minutes until a very thick batter forms. Don't overmix

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a little moisture is ok). Don't open the oven to peek for at least the first 45 minutes of baking. (my bunnies only took about 45min to bake because they were thinner).

Cookbook tip: This cake has a very thick batter and requires a well-preheated oven at just the right temp to rise properly. Allow oven to heat for at least 20 minutes.

Lower-fat deep chocolate Bundt Cake

This recipe is from my friend. These are her alterations and directions for this cake. I'm going to try it for my hubby's birthday.

1 3/4 cup soy milk (in the original this was brewed coffee, I used the milk)
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup applesauce
1/2-3/4 jar of black cherry jam
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup date or palm sugar (original recipe called for 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Between the jam, maple syrup, and "healthier sugar" I feel that was covered. You could also use sweetened soy milk.)
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract (I would use less, as this is a pretty strong flavor, or leave it out all together if you don't like that flavor)
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Frozen cherries, 1 bag

The cherries was my addition to add moisture and sweetener with the jam. If the commissary does not have frozen cherries, try a different fruit flavor. Raspberry or strawberry? Raspberries are tarter, though. For Julie's shower, the cake was drier. I used a little less soy milk because i was adding moisture with the jam, maple syrup, and frozen cherries, so I thought I should cut back on the milk. When I made it for my birthday, I  used the full amount of milk and a whole bag of cherries and the cake was significantly moister. So, you can decide how you might like it and adjust accordingly.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly grease an 8 or 10 inch bundt pan. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat stirring so it does not burn. Just before it reaches boiling, turn off heat and whisk in the cocoa. Then mix in the jam and maple syrup. Set aside and allow to cool a little.

In a mixing bowl whisk together the sugar, oil, applesauce and cornstarch until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved, about 2 minutes. (I could never tell if they actually dissolved, I just mixed it well).Mix in the vanilla and almond extract. Add the soy milk mixture from the stove.

Sift in the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Beat until relatively smooth. Add frozen cherries and mix in. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake for 45 minutes (or a little less if you want it moister) until toothpick inserted through its center comes out clean. If your pan is on the smaller side it could take longer. Remove from oven and let cool for about 20 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate to cool completely.

Another variation I thought of instead of baking fruit into it, is to make a fruit topping to serve with it. Like if you did strawberries, use jam in the cake, but then serve it with fresh cut up strawberries instead of baking frozen ones into it. Sorry, a lot of experimentation when you have to adapt these vegan, yet not so healthy recipes.

Mushroom Pecan Burger

 

This comes from epicurious.com and they are outstanding!!!
1 1/2 pounds (685 g) cremini mushrooms (I think that any kind would be fine)
1/2 cup (30 g) fresh parsley (or dried, just use 1/3 the amount…so 3 TBSP)
2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, divided (I did not use this much)
2 large-size yellow onions, finely chopped
3 large-size garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 to 2 cups (165 to 220 g) bread crumbs or cracker meal
3 tablespoons (45 g) tahini
2 tablespoons (30 g) hoisin sauce
3/4 cup (85 g) toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped
3 tablespoons (45 ml) tamari soy sauce
1 teaspoon (2 g) dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
salt and ground pepper, to taste
Preparation
In a food processor, mince mushrooms and parsley. Remove and set aside.
In a sauté pan over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil and cook onions and garlic for 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer onion mixture to a large-size bowl, and combine with minced mushrooms and parsley, bread crumbs, tahini, hoisin sauce, chopped nuts, tamari, oregano, sage, salt, and pepper.
Place mixture in refrigerator for at least half an hour. Mixture will be soft, but you should be able to form patties. Add additional bread crumbs or tahini, if needed.
Create patties using your hands. In a sauté pan, warm remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil, and fry patties over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and crispy. Be careful to keep patties intact.
Serving Suggestions and Variations Instead of making patties, put mixture into 5 x 9 x 2-inch (13 x 23 x 5 cm) loaf pan and bake at 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4) for 20 to 25 minutes.