Lion’s Mane Steak with Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle

Lion’s Mane Steak with Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle

This recipe was destined to be written! The sun, the moon, and the stars truly aligned! I was fortunate to receive Seeductive Foods plant-based cheese samples, and I knew when I saw the Truffle Peppercorn cheese it was meant for a pasta dish! I found an artisan porcini tagliatelle pasta at our local farmer’s market a few days later. Once I had the pasta, I made my way over to my friend JT, grabbed some lion’s mane mushrooms, and the rest, they say it’s history!

The first thing to note about this recipe is how simple it is. The other is the importance of pressing the mushrooms! I tried making a marinade for the mushrooms, but it made them soggy because Lion’s Mane has a very high water content. So I decided to try a dry rub using my Montreal steak seasoning, which was perfection! Pressing the mushrooms helps remove the water and gives them a nice dense “steak-like” texture. 

Lion’s Mane

If you’re unfamiliar, a lion’s mane is a large, white mushroom that, as it grows, has a shaggy appearance resembling a lion’s mane. Aside from being super steamy delicious, studies have demonstrated that lion’s mane helps increase Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)levels, protecting us against degenerative brain diseases contributing to memory loss.

Lions mane also has immune-boosting benefits. When harmful pathogens enter the body through the mouth or nose as we breathe in, Lion’s mane can bolster our defenses by helping to stimulate gut bacteria to trigger the immune system!

I discovered the wondrous Lion’s Mane from vegan chef Derek Sarno, and this is a take on his recipe.  You can use any pasta or plant-based cream-style cheese, but this recipe is about the mighty lion!  

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Lion’s Mane Steak with Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 30
  • Yield: 3 steaks 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz flat pasta (tagliatelle, fettucine, pappardelle)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  •  ¾ cup plant-based heavy cream
  • 1 oz. package of cream-style cheese 
  •  kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 34 medium Lion’s Mane mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning 

Instructions

Truffle Peppercorn Tagliatelle:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Keep about a cup of pasta water in case you need to thin out the sauce later.
  3. Warm a large saucepan over medium heat. When the pan is warm, add olive oil.  When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and cook for a minute or two until fragrant, but not brown.
  4. Add heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer, about 5-7 minutes, until nice and thick. The spoon should leave a line/trail as you run it through the sauce.
  5. Turn the heat to low and add cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
  6. Taste the sauce and add salt or fresh black pepper as needed.
  7. Add drained pasta and toss to combine.
  8. Top with fresh parsley.

 

Lion’s Mane Steaks:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF/200ºC
  2. Mix all dry rub ingredients in a small bowl.
  3. Lightly wipe mushrooms with a wet paper towel to remove dirt or residue.  *Do not wash or submerge.
  4. Heat cast iron pan on medium-high heat.  When the pan is heated, add oil.  When the oil begins to shimmer, place the mushrooms stem side down in the pan for 90 seconds to let them soften. 
  5. Place a steak weight or smaller cast iron pan on the mushrooms. 
  6. Using a potholder or folded kitchen towel, gently press the weight down on the mushrooms.  As the mushrooms release water, press harder on the pan or weight.  Cook for approximately 5 minutes. 
  7. Carefully remove the pan or weight and wipe the water from the bottom. Flip Lion’s Mane using tongs, add more oil and cook the other side for 5 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle dry rub over Lion’s Mane, searing each side.
  9. Place the cast iron pan in the oven for 12 minutes when the Lion’s Mane is browned. Remove, let it rest for a few minutes.
  10. Slice and place over pasta.
  11. Enjoy!

​​

 

Pasta Con Broccoli

Pasta Con Broccoli

The other day, the sports page reported that Chip Caray, grandson of the famed baseball announcer Harry Caray, will join Jim Edmonds in the broadcast booth for the St. Louis Cardinals. Ben Hochman is a sports writer for The St. Louis Post Dispatch and my favorite newspaper writer because he is more than just a journalist covering sports. He’s a storyteller. And he did a great job introducing St. Louis to its newest television announcer.

Harry Christopher “Chip” Caray III is more than just a chip off the old block (sorry, I had to) he’s also a homegrown Cardinals fan. Chip was born in St. Louis and knew the Cardinals starting line-up before he knew his ABCs. Super excited to have him here and ready for the boys of summer to return! And, as it turns out, he also worked at one of my favorite St. Louis institutions, the legendary Rich & Charlie’s Italian Restaurant.

Started by Richard Ronzio and Charlie Mugavero, the pair opened the original Rich & Charlie’s in St. Louis in 1967. It is a local legend, and ask anyone who lives here, and they’ll tell you it’s not just their delicious food; the close-knit family-style atmosphere keeps them coming back!

The flavors of their fresh Rich & Charlie’s Famous House Salad with its rich and creamy Italian style dressing are forever imprinted in my brain. The salad is that good, too. But what sticks out most in my memory is their Pasta Con Broccoli.

The recipe is super simple, too!  The flavors combine to create a savory and deeply satisfying weeknight meal!  And nobody will believe that it took less than 30 minutes to make!  A couple of quick notes, you will blanch the broccoli with the pasta water.  This saves an extra step, water, and another dirty pan.

Finally, most recipes for this dish do not use wine to deglaze, but I think it adds a depth of flavor you don’t get otherwise.  That said, you can skip this step if you choose.  If you’d like to get this flavor but don’t want to use wine, feel free to use 1/8 cup water mixed with 1/8 cup white wine vinegar (no alcohol), and you will achieve nearly the same thing.

I dedicate this to my cousin Lauren Roller whose beauty is only matched by her kindness!  This is for you, sweet girl!  Love you.

XOXO,

Steph

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Pasta Con Broccoli

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 20
  • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 package pasta shells — cooked al dente and drained
  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 2 cups plant-based whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 head of fresh broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz of button or crimini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup vegan Parmesan cheese — grated
  • Salt and pepper — to taste
  • Garlic powder — to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, cook pasta al dente (i.e., pull about 3 minutes before package directions)
  2. While pasta is cooking, warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter. When the butter is almost done foaming* add shallot. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium.
  3. Add mushrooms. Saute mushrooms until golden brown. About 7-8 minutes. 
  4. Add seasonings to taste.
  5. Add 1/2 white wine and deglaze pan. (Optional)
  6. When the wine has evaporated, add heavy whipping cream.
  7. Add tomato paste. Stir and mix well.
  8. Add parmesan cheese. Remove from heat. The mixture will thicken as it sits. 
  9. Taste for salt and pepper.
  10. When pasta is 4 minutes from being done, add broccoli and blanch for 1 minute. Remove 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and broccoli. (I use a spider to remove mine from the water).  
  11. Add pasta and broccoli to the sauce, return to medium heat, and cook for 3 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add 1/2 pasta water. If it’s okay, you do not need to use this water. 
  12. Add pasta to the bowl and garnish with additional parmesan cheese.
  13. Enjoy! 

Notes

*This indicates that all the water in the butter has evaporated, and the temperature can rise above the water’s boiling point of 212 degrees.  Shallots and mushrooms both contain a lot of water.  Removing water from the butter will help the shallots and mushrooms release their flavor and brown.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4-6

  1. In a medium saucepan, cook pasta al dente (i.e., pull about 3 minutes before package directions)
  2. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter. Melt butter, and when the butter is almost done foaming* add shallot. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and saute until garlic is fragrant—about 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium.
  3. Add mushrooms. Saute mushrooms until golden brown.
  4. Add 1/2 white wine and deglaze pan.
  5. Saute ingredients over medium-low heat. Add seasonings to taste.
  6. When the wine has evaporated, add heavy whipping cream.
  7. Add tomato paste. Stir and mix well.
  8. Add parmesan cheese. Remove from heat. The mixture will thicken as it sits. 
  9. Taste for salt and pepper.
  10. When pasta is 4 minutes from being done, add broccoli and blanch for 1 minute. Remove 1/2 cup of pasta water and set aside. Drain pasta and broccoli. (I use a spider to remove mine from the water).  
  11. Add pasta and broccoli to the sauce, return to medium heat, and cook for 3 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add 1/2 pasta water. If it’s okay, you do not need to use this water. 
  12. Add pasta to the bowl and garnish with additional parmesan cheese.
  13. Enjoy! 

Pasta alla Vodka

Pasta alla Vodka

It is said that Pasta Alla Vodka originated at Orsini Restaurant in New York, where it is believed that Chef Luigi Franzese invented the dish in the 1970s. Although there are often conflicting claims to the invention and history of the dish, one author claims that it was invented at Dante, a restaurant in Bologna, Italy.

Most recipes that call for alcohol—wine, beer, or a spirit—do so because of the respective flavor that gets added. Not so for vodka. Vodka sauce is a pink sauce with a splash of booze that exists somewhere between a tomato sauce and an Alfredo sauce. Denser milk products (such as cream) can separate, especially when an acid (like tomatoes) is introduced.

Vodka acts as an emulsifier, bonding water and fat together until they exist in smooth harmony preventing the cream from separating. This is the same principle at work when you add dijon mustard to a vinaigrette to keep your oil from separating from your vinegar. And because vodka is an excellent solvent (alcohol is the catalyst in bitters, tinctures, elixirs, and many herbal cure-alls), it extracts flavors and aromas from herbs and spices where water alone can’t.

“Vodka adds depth to a sauce both by pulling out the additional flavor and concentrating others without adding a flavor of its own,” says Bart Saracino, co-owner of Bartolino’s Restaurants in St. Louis.

So should you use a cheap or expensive vodka? Don’t skimp because you’ll likely be the one to drink the rest of the bottle.  I drove to Defiance, Missouri, to grab a bottle of Judgment Tree Vodka from my sweet friend Chris Lorch.  Chris is the co-founder of the Distillery of Defiance and the head winemaker for Sugar Creek Winery.  I have known Chris since college and am lucky to run into him every once in a while!  His place in Defiance is warm and inviting.  And his vodka, made from grapes, has a refined smoothness and distinct but subtle nuances and complexities.

Judgment Tree is a historical reference in these parts and is an homage to the great explorer and pioneer Daniel Boone.  When Boone moved to Missouri, he settled in the township of Defiance near the Missouri River and the Femme Osage District. In June of 1800, Daniel was appointed to the position of Spanish Commandant of the Femme Osage District. At that time, his district was a region running indefinitely west and north along the north side of the Missouri River.

In this role, Boone acted as the district’s civil administrator and military commander, as well as having the dual role of Spanish Syndic (Judge) of civil disputes. In his role, he held court under the large elm “Boone Judgment Tree.” (1)

As always, tag me if you make it, and let me know what you think!  And if you’re from St. Louis or ever in town visiting, be sure to head out to Defiance, stop by the Judgment Tree memorial, and stop in and see Chris. Tell him Stephanie sent you!

 

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Pasta alla Vodka

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 1 4.5-oz. tube or ½ cup double-concentrated or regular tomato paste
  • Healthy pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup quality vodka
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 can whole crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
  • Coarse kosher salt (Morton’s or Diamond) and pepper
  • 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate or rigatoni
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (I use Silk brand plant-based whipping cream)
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves (torn or shredded)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving (I used Violife)

Instructions

  1. Fill a stock pot or other large pot three-quarters full with water and heat over high. Toss in a handful of salt and bring the water to a boil. Add pasta. Cook pasta al dente. This usually is about 2 minutes before full cooking time.  When the pasta is done, do NOT drain the pasta water.
  2. Firmly smash 4 garlic cloves with the flat side of a chef’s knife and remove the peel. Carefully slice into thin slices.
  3. Peel and dice onion.
  4. Grate 4 oz of vegan parmesan (I used Violife Parmesan)
  5. Heat butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until onion starts to brown around the edges, for 5–7 minutes.
  6. Add the entire 4.5-oz. tube of tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Stir until paste evenly coats onion. Continue to cook.  Stirring often until the paste is deep red and starting to brown on the bottom of the pot, 5–7 minutes.
  7.  Add vodka and balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, scrape the bottom well, and stir.  Add tomatoes and cook for about 10 minutes.
  8. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of the pasta water. Stir well.
  9. Transfer tomato mixture to a food processor or blender, and add basil and purée until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan.
  10. Add 1/4 cup of warm pasta water to your cream to keep it from breaking apart.  Add warmed cream to the vodka sauce.
  11. Cook until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese and then use a spider or a slotted spoon to remove pasta from the water and add to the sauce.
  12. Toss to combine.
  13. Serve immediately with an additional sprinkle of cheese and basil, if desired.
  14. Enjoy!

St. Louis Style Ravioli with a Garlic Basil Fondue

St. Louis Style Ravioli with a Garlic Basil Fondue

Sometimes recipes write themselves. And if recipes were writers, this, my friend, is a Nobel laureate! Well…maybe it isn’t serving the greatest benefit to all of humankind, but it’s definitely a tasty benefit to your taste buds! And it might be something new for you. I love toasted ravioli. It was one of my guilty pleasures, especially on a football Sunday, it was also created here in my hometown, or so the story goes.

A little taste of midwestern Americana, most accounts of toasted ravioli trace its origins to The Hill, a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood in South St. Louis. Supposedly, a guy named Chef Fritz accidentally dropped a ravioli into the fryer at the legendary Mama Campisi’s. “Mickey Garagiola, older brother of Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Joe Garagiola, was actually at the bar during the mishap and was the first to witness and taste the accidental treat. Other people have tried to take credit, but being a passionate Cardinal fan, I’m going with the Garagiola’s on this one! 

Traditionally toasted rav’s are served with a tomato meat sauce for dipping. And if you’ve never had them, I highly recommend eating them that way at some point. However, we will lightly pan fry them for this recipe and drop them right into a decadent creamy, cheesy fondue and finish them in the oven.

The fondue is also a treat to be savored! An apres-ski pleasure in the Alps, Swiss fondue is essentially a mixture of cheese, wine, and flour. You can use it as a sauce over pasta, a dip for veggies, and of course, as a base for these yummy ravioli. So whether you’re congregating after a day on the mountain with friends or just looking for a rich, velvety cheese sauce that cannot be matched, this recipe is for you. Oh, and don’t forget to top it with your favorite vegan parmesan!

XO,

Steph

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St. Louis Style Ravioli with a Garlic Basil Fondue

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 2 dozen 1x

Description

So yummy and easy to make, these toasted ravioli can be served with a simple marinara, or dressed up and served in a creamy cheesy fondue!  Make sure you use an oil with a high smoke point (over 400°F.) meant for frying.


Ingredients

Scale

Ravioli:

  • 1 (12 oz) pack of Nasoya Vegan Won Ton Wraps *see note
  • 1 package of vegan plant-based Italian sausage (I only use Hungry Planet) **see note
  • 1 package of vegan mozzarella, crumbled into 1″ pieces (I like Miyoko’s)  ***see note
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup plant-based milk
  • 2 tablespoons of egg replacer (I like Just Egg, but you can also use aquafaba)
  • 3 cups frying oil (I use safflower oil–510°F, or peanut oil–450°F)

Fondue:

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (for non-alcohol, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar to 1/4 cup water)
  • 1 clove garlic, whole peeled
  • 3 cups vegan white cheese I used Violife feta, Daiya Farmhouse (block) Jalapeno, and Miyoko’s mozzarella (vegan parm and nutritional yeast would work well too)
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 tablespoons Kirsch (or cherry juice)
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice (if using vinegar in place of wine, skip the lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil, 2 teaspoons if using fresh
  • Dash of paprika
  • Dash of garlic powder
  • Dash of nutmeg
  • Dash of white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca starch

Instructions

I like to make the fondue first. You can assemble the ravioli in advance, but if not eating them the day of, put them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer.

Fondue:

  1. Rub the inside of an enameled cast-iron casserole with the garlic clove; discard the garlic.
  2. Combine the grated cheeses with the wine and tapioca starch.
  3. Add lemon juice, basil, paprika, and garlic powder to the pot and cook over moderate heat, occasionally stirring until the cheeses melt about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the kirsch, vegetable stock, and a generous pinch each of pepper and nutmeg and cook, stirring gently, until creamy and smooth, about 10 minutes; don’t overcook the fondue, or it will get stringy. Remove from heat.
  5. Turn on the oven. Set to broil.

Ravioli:

  1. Warm a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and 1/4 water. Saute onions until they soften and become translucent (about 8 minutes).
  2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  3. Add sausage, oregano, and salt/pepper. Saute until the sausage begins to brown if ingredients start to stick at 1-2 tablespoons of water.
  4. Add mozzarella cheese and stir until melted.
  5. Remove from heat and set mixture aside.

Assemble:

TOOLS–(Pastry brush, a small bowl of water. A ravioli cutter is helpful but optional)

  1. To assemble ravioli, lay half the won ton wrappers on a flat dry surface. (Make sure you only have one).
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of filling to the middle of each won ton wrap.
  3. Dip a pastry brush into water and lightly brush the perimeter of the won ton wrapper.
  4. Using the other half of the wraps, brush one side of the wrap with a small amount of water and lay the wet side down directly on top of the meat-filled wrap. Repeat until all 24 are sealed. I like to start at the top and work my way around sealing the edges with my fingers. You can apply slight pressure to the middle and press down around the filling. Take a little water and smooth it down with your finger if it tears. Make sure they are sealed well. If using a ravioli cutter, press down until ravioli is cut and well sealed. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Combine milk and egg sub in a small bowl. Place breadcrumbs in a pie pan or shallow bottomed bowl. Dip ravioli in milk mixture and coat with breadcrumbs.
  6. In a large, heavy pan, pour oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until a small amount of breading sizzles and turns brown. Fry ravioli a few at a time, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Baking:

  1. To a medium casserole dish, add fondue and place ravioli on top. Spoon fondue sauce onto ravioli to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add 1/4 cup of water or vegetable stock to thin.
  2. Place in oven and bake until fondue is bubbly and slightly browned. About 2-3 minutes.
  3. Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese and basil!
  4. To serve, place ravioli on a plate and drizzle with fondue. Top with parsley and additional parmesan.
  5. Serve immediately.
  6. Enjoy!

Notes

*One pack of won ton wrappers makes 24 ravioli.

**I’ve tried a half dozen or so plant-based sausages, and nothing compares to the flavor and texture of Hungry Planet.  It also has a whopping 17g of protein and zero fat!

***I like whole block vegan cheeses.  I’m not too fond of shredded cheeses because of the taste.  The anti-caking ingredients give it a strange flavor.

Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

I love pasta, pretty much all pasta. As a matter of fact, I never met a pasta I didn’t like. Though there are some (like a few people I know) that I like better than others. This pasta is one of those that I like best of all. The creamy, spicy red pepper sauce mixed with savory Italian sausage (thank you, Hungry Planet) and served over freshly made rigatoni noodles makes my cuore felice! Did I say that correctly?

Anyway, this simple recipe comes together quickly, and if you’re anything like me, this will make your heart happy too! I love the Hungry Planet Italian sausage here. The texture and flavor shine in this recipe, and with zero grams of saturated fat (Impossible Sausage has 4g of saturated fat), you cannot go wrong. You just have to make sure you don’t eat all the sausage while you’re waiting on your pasta to boil!

 

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Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 40
  • Yield: 6 large servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

The ultimate winter comfort food!  It’s a little spicy and very flavorful!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (16 oz) package of vegan rigatoni pasta
  • 1 (12 oz) package Hungry Planet Italian Sausage, or another plant-based alternative
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (arrowroot powder works well, too)
  • 4 tablespoons vegan butter (separated in half)
  • 12 pieces of bread torn into small bite-sized pieces
  • 1 (12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup Silk half and half
  • 1/2 cup red wine (or, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup water mixed)
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sage
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 cup vegan parmesan, grated or shredded
  • fresh parsley, minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)

 


Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and spray a 12″ round or oval baking dish with non-stick spray. I used my largest oval French Corningware with a glass lid.

Spice mix:

In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tsp garlic powder with 1 1/2 teaspoons: oregano, sage, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Bread Crumbs:

Add breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp melted butter, and half of the spice mixture to a bowl. Toss well to coat. Toast in oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.

Pasta:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook pasta according to the instructions on the package (each pasta varies). Reserve one cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain well, and do not rinse.** Add cooked pasta to a large bowl.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, add the sausage to a large skillet and cook over medium heat until browned. Carefully remove sausage from skillet and set aside. In the same pan, add the remaining 2 tbsp’s butter, a pinch of salt and pepper, and the remaining teaspoon of garlic powder and cook until the butter is melted and bubbling. Add onions and red peppers. Stir frequently until onions become translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add minced garlic, and saute until fragrant @ 30 seconds. Add red wine and use a spatula to stir well and deglaze any fond* from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until liquid evaporates, 2-3 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and carefully the ingredients to a blender, or use an immersion blender, add cornstarch, and puree until smooth—return sauce to the pan.
  4. Over medium heat, stir in half-and-half. Add 1/2 cup parmesan, cooked sausage, and remaining spices to the sauce. Stir frequently and cook until sausage has warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper, and additional spices if needed.
  5. Add pasta to skillet and stir well to coat. Add 1/2 cup pasta water, and mix well. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Add remaining cheese, and top with buttered herbed breadcrumbs.
  6. Bake covered for 25 minutes, or until bread crumbs are lightly golden.
  7. Serve garnished with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and additional parmesan. Enjoy!

Notes

*Fond, is quite simply, is the stuff that sticks to your pan after browning meat or vegetables on the stovetop, or at the bottom of a roasting pan after it has come out of the oven.  Good stuff, just don’t burn it. If you do it’s no good and can ruin your dish.

**You want some starch on the outside of the pasta, as it helps the sauce adhere.

Spicy Red Pepper Rigatoni with Creole Smoked Tempeh

Spicy Red Pepper Rigatoni with Creole Smoked Tempeh

Who doesn’t love pasta? This recipe has been one of my most requested! It is mouth-watering, literally. Just be careful when you’re making the sauce. I kept “testing” it. To make sure it was good, you know? Anyway, I was so full that I only had a couple of bites when I sat down to eat it. The good news? It makes a lot, and the leftovers the next day didn’t disappoint!

I always boil my tempeh. Mostly because I’m not too fond of the slightly bitter flavor and cooking it for about 10 minutes removes all of that acrid taste. I like the Lightlife brand, but I’m not beholden to it. If you have a brand, you prefer then definitely use it.

The creole spice mix is so good and keeps well if you decide to make it. Otherwise, any store-bought creole/cajun spice mix works. If heat isn’t your thing, then skip the red pepper flakes and add black pepper instead.  Be sure to get a good quality rigatoni.  I like to buy my pasta in bulk directly from DeLallo, or the Italian Food Online Store. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe and it becomes a favorite part of your dinner rotation!

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Spicy Red Pepper Rigatoni with Creole Smoked Tempeh

  • Author: Stephanie Bosch

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:

  • 12 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained (Reserve 1/3 cup peppers, and thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 cup béchamel sauce
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 fresh basil leaves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated vegan parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish) 

Tempeh:


Instructions

Tempeh: 

  1. Cut tempeh rectangle in half. Cut each square into two triangles.
  2. Add tempeh to skillet with just enough water to cover and simmer for 10 minutes. (Helps to remove the slightly bitter flavor)
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. Season each side of the tempeh with Voodoo Magic Creole Spice Mix.
  5. Warm a skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. When the oil is shimmering, add tempeh. Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side. When golden brown, remove from heat and set aside.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:

  1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. When oil begins to shimmer, add onions. Sauté until onions become translucent—about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds—season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  2. In a high speed, blender add the béchamel, stock, roasted red peppers, basil, salt, and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth.
  3. Add sauce to the onion mixture. Stir well, and add dried parsley and reserved red peppers, and tempeh. Simmer over medium heat until sauce is warmed through entirely—taste for seasoning.
  4. Cook pasta until al dente (about 6-8 minutes)
  5. Serve in a pasta bowl. Top with vegan parmesan and fresh minced basil. Enjoy!

Notes

I like to use this tempeh.

 

ve 1/3 cup

Almond Chèvre Tortellini with Citrus Beurre Blanc

Almond Chèvre Tortellini with Citrus Beurre Blanc

I am a big pasta girl! But like most people, I would imagine, I tend stick to traditional recipes like spaghetti, fettuccini, and lasagna. Mostly because buying a stuffed pasta like tortellini isn’t easy when you’re a vegan. So what is a girl to do? Make a fantastic version of goat cheese, add some dried herbs, stuff wonton wrappers with fantastic cheese, and BOOM! Homemade tortellini!

I love this recipe…and admittedly, a lot is going on! But no worries, you can make much of the recipe in advance, aka the vegan goat cheese and the tortellini. In French, beurre means butter, and blanc means white. So, this is a classic “white” sauce made with butter!

Beurre blanc can sometimes be viewed as tricky to make. Because without the addition of egg yolk to stabilize the sauce, it is prone to split. The acid in the citrus sauce can ‘break’ if heated too hot, or too many times, or not whisked while heating. The key is to ensure that the butter is chilled and added slowly. And also, be sure to turn DOWN heat to med/low when adding the butter so that you don’t end up with Beurre Marron! Good things come to those who wait.

As a matter of practice, I like to make my sauces an hour before use. I’m not too fond of surprises, and if for some reason the sauce doesn’t turn out, I still have time to make a new one. Yes, after almost 25 years, it does still happen. If needed, it can easily be reheated over low heat.

Freezing the tortellini: If not cooking the tortellini immediately, freeze them on a sheet pan and transfer them to a freezer-safe container once solid. Tortellini will keep for about three months. Cook directly from the freezer, but increase the cooking time by a minute or two.

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Almond Chèvre Tortellini with Citrus Beurre Blanc


  • Author:
    Stephanie Bosch


Ingredients


Scale

Tortellini:

  • 1 cup of Almond Chèvre
  • 2 tablespoons Herbs de Provence
  • 2 tablespoons vegan parmesan
  • 1 teaspoon fennel pollen (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper
  • 1 (12 oz) package of wonton wrappers
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fennel fronds
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel

Citrus Beurre Blanc:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup finely chopped shallots
  • Juice of 2 limes (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Juice of one medium size orange (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 3 tablespoons dry white wine
  • cup vegan heavy cream
  • Salt to taste, if desired
  • 8 tablespoons butter, cut into 12 pieces


Instructions

Tortellini:

  1. Add almond cheese to a medium-size bowl. Add Herbs de Provence, parmesan cheese, fennel pollen, if using, and salt and pepper. Mix well. 
  2. Dust a clean surface with cornmeal. Lay wonton wrapper flat and add 1 rounded teaspoon to the center of the wrapper. 
  3. Lightly brush the edges of the wonton wrapper with water (I keep a small bowl of water nearby). Fold wonton into a triangle. Turn triangle, so the long edge is facing you. Gently press the filling flat and fold wonton 3/4 of the way upward, toward its tip. Flatten slightly. Brush each side of the flap with water. Placing your finger in the center of the fold, carefully fold each side over your finger. Lightly pinch closed.  Continue until all cheese has been used. 
  4. Add tortellini to a parchment-lined baking sheet. 
  5. In a dutch oven, bring salted (about 1 tsp) water to a boil.  
  6. Drop tortellini into boiling water. Remove from water when tortellini begin to float.

Citrus Beurre Blanc:

 

  1. Heat one tablespoon of butter in a saucepan and add the shallots. Cook briefly, stirring, and add the citrus and wine. Cook until the liquid is almost totally reduced.
  2. Add the heavy cream and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the pieces of butter, a few at a time, stirring rapidly with a wire whisk.
  3. When sauce is done, add tortellini and stir until warmed through.  
  4. Serve in a shallow bowl, and top with fennel fronds and orange peel. 
  5. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over pasta, and serve warm.



Cacio E Pepe with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel Pollen

Cacio E Pepe with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel Pollen

Cacio E Pepe translates into cheese and pepper, and it is my two girls’ favorite pasta on earth. It is a fancy mac-n-cheese. The pure simplicity of this recipe makes it almost sinful to change, so I didn’t change much. I added red pepper flakes in place of the traditional black pepper and used vegan cheeses, of course. I liked the addition of the roasted tomatoes a lot. They are like little cherry bombs that explode in your mouth! The kicker for me was the fennel pollen. I have recently discovered this culinary rock star and plan to use it wisely since it is a little expensive, but the good news is that it goes a long way.

The key to this simple pasta is using just enough pasta water for cooking the pasta noodles. Too much water and you will lose all of your starch, not enough water, and you will have to add a little hot water to make the sauce. When the pasta is al dente, you will drain and save the pasta water, ensuring that you have about 2 1/2 cups. This water is what we will use to make the sauce. Add a little butter to the pan, add your pepper flakes, and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Then add the pasta water to the butter/pepper mix, and then add the pasta and cheese. Stir until the cheese, add pasta to the pan, and Boom! Dinner is served!

I used bucatini, but you can really use any type of pasta you want.

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Cacio E Pepe with Roasted Tomatoes and Fennel Pollen


  • Author:
    Stephanie Bosch


Description

This super simple pasta gets a little zing with some fennel pollen!  If you’ve never had it you will love it.  Be warned it’s kind of expensive, but a little goes a long way! 


Ingredients


Scale

  • 14 oz. pasta such as bucatini, or spaghetti (*see note)
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted vegan butter, cubed, divided
  • 1 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
  • ¾ cup finely grated vegan Parmesan
  •  cup vegan Romano


Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 425° F and prep a baking sheet with parchment paper.  
  2. Lightly spray tomatoes with avocado oil or other spray oil and dust with fennel pollen and black pepper.
  3. Roast tomatoes for 20-25 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft and fragrant. 
  4. Meanwhile, while tomatoes are roasting, boil 5 1/2 cups of salted water (about 1 1/2 tsp of salt) for your pasta. 
  5. Add pasta and stir occasionally. Cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and drain pasta, reserving 2 1/2 cups of water. Set pasta aside. (**See note)
  7. In the same pan, over medium heat, add butter and red pepper flakes. Saute for 1-2 minutes until foaming and pepper flakes are fragrant. (Be warned the pepper can fill the air and your nose!) 
  8. Add pasta water and stir. Simmer until sauce has reduced somewhat, about 5 minutes. 
  9. Reduce heat to low and add pasta and cheeses. Stir to combine and add hot water if the sauce becomes too thick. Cook until the pasta has heated through.
  10. Plate the pasta and top with roasted tomatoes. 
  11. Add additional cheese, pepper, and fennel pollen, to garnish and to taste.
  12. Serve warm. 


Notes

  • *If using gluten free pasta cook 3/4 of the way or it will fall apart.  I use about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt to my water. Rinse pasta well when done cooking.  
  • **If you do not have 2 1/2 cups of reserved water after cooking pasta just add hot tap water.


Conchiglioni with Pumpkin Sage Ricotta

Conchiglioni with Pumpkin Sage Ricotta

This recipe is one of my favorites. Admittedly, a lot is going on here. Part savory and part sweet, the complexity of spices makes for a simple yet flavorful combination. Most recipes using pumpkin ricotta are strictly savory. This recipe, however, has a sweetness that lingers for a bit in the background. I love how the pumpkin mixes flawlessly with the sage’s earthiness, and how that combination balances perfectly with the aromatic baking spices and sweet maple syrup. Served with my cashew béchamel sauce, this would be a perfect recipe for anyone wishing to do something a little different for Thanksgiving. No Turkey? No Problem! Also, this pairs very well with either red, or white wine. I would serve this with a nice oaky chardonnay.

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Conchiglioni with Pumpkin Sage Ricotta


  • Author:
    Stephanie Bosch

  • Prep Time:
    20

  • Cook Time:
    20-25

  • Total Time:
    2 minute

  • Yield:
    6 servings 1x


Description

Part savory, part sweet, this recipe covers all the bases!  Some recipes do not have you press the tofu.  Pressing the tofu removes an additional 1/2 cup of water, and this prevents it from being too runny. 


Ingredients


Scale

  • 1 (16 oz) package of organic Conchiglioni Pasta, or other egg free large shell pasta
  • 1 (12 oz.) package of extra firm organic tofu, pressed
  • 3 Tbsp (6g) nutritional yeast
  • 3 Tbsp fresh sage, minced (do not omit, and dice a little extra for garnish)
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp sea salt 
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup vegan parmesan, plus additional 1/4 cup for topping
  • 1 lemon, juiced (2 Tbsp juice)
  • 1 tsp baking spice mix (can also use pumpkin pie spice mix)
  • 3 Tbsp organic maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups cashew béchamel 


Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Be sure not to overcook!  Drain and set aside.

After the tofu has been pressed, crumble and add to a food processor.  Add nutritional yeast, fresh sage, oregano, dry sage, vegan parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Pulse until ingredients begin to combine into a ball stage.  Remove from the food processor and add to a medium-size bowl.  Fold in pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and baking spice mix—taste for salt.  Mix well. 

Give the pasta noodles a good rinse (they might be a little sticky).  Shake off excess water.  In a 9″x12″ glass baking dish, spread 1 cup of béchamel sauce on the dish’s bottom.

Carefully remove a conch shell and place it in the palm of your hand.  Gently squeeze each pasta shell until it opens.  Using about 2 Tbsps of filling, fill each shell until your pan is full.

Drizzle with remaining 1 cup béchamel sauce, being sure to coat all of the noodles well.  If using, top with additional parmesan cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn oven up to broil and carefully watch until the parmesan cheese has melted and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. (Be careful not to walk away from a broiler as it can burn very quickly).

Let cool and plate.  Drizzle shells with remaining béchamel sauce from pan. 

Taste for salt and pepper. 


Notes

*Be sure to check your pasta label for eggs. 

UPDATE:**I walked away from the broiler one hour after writing this. Sheeshhh. 


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 224
  • Sodium: 390
  • Fat: 4.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.6g
  • Carbohydrates: 34.5 g
  • Fiber: 2.8
  • Protein: 13.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 0


Pumpkin Sage Ricotta

Mushroom Bolognese

One of my favorite sauces is Bolognese.  It’s simple, delicious, and reminds me of one of my favorite meals growing up.  This meat-free version is made from ground mushrooms and is ready in about 30 minutes.

Mushroom Bolognese

spaghetti-bolognese-food-rustic-722670

2 (8 oz) packs of cremini mushrooms

1 yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic

1 medium-size carrot

1 medium celery rib

2 Tbsp tomato paste

2 Tbsp oil, or water

½ cup red wine

1 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

½ tsp red pepper flakes

½ cup cashew cream

1 tsp rosemary

In a food processor, pulse the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and mushrooms until finely chopped. In a large pan warmed over medium heat, add oil, or 2 Tbsp water, if not using oil. Add the vegetables, season with basil, oregano, and cook over moderate heat until softened, 20 minutes. Add 1 Tbsp of water, or stock, as needed, to prevent sticking.
Add the wine, salt, and red pepper; and stir. Cook until the wine evaporates.  About 3-4 minutes.

Add the cream, rosemary, and 1/4 cup of grated vegan cheese and simmer for 5 minutes.
At this point, you can either add warm pasta, and 1 cup of water to the sauce and toss, stirring until the pasta is well-coated, or stuff shells and top with remaining creme sauce. Serve.