Monday, April 30, 2012

Meatball Sub (Low-Knead, Whole Wheat Bread w/ Seitan Meatballs)



This is a super yummy and super easy recipe - the plus side is that it is much healthier than your usual meatball sub AND (for me) it is my favorite food. The bread has been steamed and then baked at a high temperature to create a moist and soft inside with a crispy, crunchy outside. A light sprinkle of sea salt mixed with garlic and olive oil runs through the cavity and then eventually sandwiches the garlicky, tomato-filled sauce and slightly chewy and fennel infused seitan meatballs.



(Low-Knead Bread Ingredients)

  • 1 and 1/2 cups of Warm Water
  • 1 tsp of Raw Sugar (or other Sweetener)
  • 1/2 tsp of Salt
  • 1 and 1/4 tsp of Active-Rise Yeast
  • 3 cups of Whole White Wheat
  • 1 tbl of Olive Oil

(Low-Knead Bread Directions)
  • Bloom your water, sugar, oil, and yeast together for about ten minutes, then fold in your flour and salt.
  • Mix until it is no longer liquidy but don't let it become a ball of dough just yet.
  • Place into a well-greased bowl with a moist tea towel and let rise for thirty minutes, then let it rise in the fridge for 1-2 hours, knead for about three minutes and then let rest for 5 more minutes.
  • Cut and roll into your preferred shapes, make three quick slits on the top and steam on the stove for 15 minutes each or until it has changed color and has cooked a bit.
  • Bake at 450 degrees (you can brush with your preferred oil if you wish) on a sheet dusted with cornmeal for about 15 more minutes or until it has cooked to your liking.
  • Let cool to the touch, split open and place in your meatballs.


(Seitan Meatballs Ingredients)
  • 1 cup of Vital Wheat Gluten (I used Bob's Red Mill's)
  • 1/2 tsp of Salt
  • 1 tbl of Mrs. Dash's Garlic & Herb Blend
  • 1/4 tsp of Crushed Fennel
  • 1/4 cup of TVP/Veggie Crumbles
  • 1 tbl of Olive Oil
  • Enough Cold Water to mix
  • Lightly Cooked Red Onion, Mushrooms and Orange Pepper

(Seitan Meatballs Directions)
  • Cook off your vegetables in a dry pan first, let them cool slightly.
  • Add everything except for the water together.
  • Lightly toss together, add water slowly until it all comes together mostly. Knead for a moment.
  • Then steam for about 45 minutes.
  • Lightly fry your new seitan loaf on both sides with olive oil, then pour your favorite jar of marinara sauce onto it with a bit of water. Let it stew for five minutes and cut into chunks
  • Place onto your fresh sandwich bread and enjoy!



This is a super yummy and super easy recipe - the plus side is that it is much healthier than your usual meatball sub AND (for me) it is my favorite food. The bread has been steamed and then baked at a high temperature to create a moist and soft inside with a crispy, crunchy outside. A light sprinkle of sea salt mixed with garlic and olive oil runs through the cavity and then eventually sandwiches the garlicky, tomato-filled sauce and slightly chewy and fennel infused seitan meatballs.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Bakery-Style Hightop Muffins (from Invader Zim)




These are my absolute favorite style of muffin - the little ones just don't do it for me (my cookware don't want none unless you got...top buns, hon?). I also decided to make this sort of like the muffins you often see Gir eating from the show "Invader Zim", its not exactly perfect but these muffins are easy, quick and very fun to make.


Chocolate Hightop Muffins Recipe:
1 cup of Vegan Buttermilk
1/4 cup of Veggie Oil
2 cups of Powdered Sugar
A Pinch of Salt
1 cup of Whole White Wheat
1 and 1/4 cups of Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips or Melted Chocolate

Just a little mixing until its a thick batter. Add the chocolate chips/melted chocolate last.


Put all of the batter into six holes evenly and use any extra batter to top each one off. Add some water to to the empty places then bake at 400 degrees for about seven minutes, lower to 350 until it has all thoroughly baked. You may need to empty the water out later OR you can microwave these babies for about 1:45 seconds and enjoy a quick breakfast or snack.

You could take the time to make these into Death Star cupcakes for May 4th...or just enjoy as is!



Thursday, April 26, 2012

Mr Bobinsky Bento (Coraline Bento)

Sergei Alexander Bobinski (aka Mr. Bobisnky) happens to be my favorite character from the book and movie "Coraline". How couldn't you love him? He's strong and athletic, handsome, blue and quite kind to Coraline - plus he loves vegetables (namely beets)! So, instead of me telling you what went into making this super fun I decided to call up Mr. Bobinsky himself! Take it away Bobo!


How do you feel about Mr. Bobinsky?

Bobinsky: Oh hello, Ms. Shine! What is it that I am to be taking away? This "benuto"?

Me: "Be-n-to" and yes, Mr. Bobinsky! Tell us how you really feel about it!

Bobinsky: Well let me first say that there are no beets in this bento. How can you have a strong Bobinsky bento without beets? They make you strong and able to aerodynamic! *lifts up small car and throws it* Do you see what I mean Ms. Shine? Otherwise this bento is fantastic and looks like Mr. Bobo himself! Those little mice are made of Russian Miysniy Bitki, yes? So inventive with the brown and white rice covering, cranberries (red, like beets), noree eyes, almond ears and soba noodle tails! The kale that surrounds it all added with the red grapes, cherry tomatoes, masa sheet, red and orange bell peppers and blue onigiri me are amazing! The tortilla you used for my shirt is eeehh, how I would say in my Mother tongue, vyglyadit krasivo. More tortilla for the eyes, some nori and boom! You've got a Bobinsky - eh? Ey, where's my badge from Chernobyl - I was there for the cleanup after the-

Me: Oh, lookie here we're out of time so soon! Thanks for visiting Mr. Bobinsky, I think that its time for you to go back to the Pink Palace!

Bobinsky: But I haven't even told you about my wonderful Mouse Circus improvements yet! Come with me - you must see how they go "Oompa peep" now! Halfway there I must say! *grabs Ms. Shin's hands*

Me: Maybe some other time - woah! See you next time and I hope that you enjoyed this segment of Coraline Bentos, everybody! If you need the list its at the bottooooooom - The tutorial for the mice is coming soon!

Mr. Bobinsky Bento Ingredients:
Kale
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Grapes
Red and Yellow Bell Peppers
White and Brown Rice Onigiri
Miysniy Bitki Meatballs
Almonds
Dark Blue Masa Sheet
Nori
Cranberries
Corn Tortilla


Enjoy everyone!



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...