The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » recipes http://www.thediscerningbrute.com fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:51:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 SPORK Wings Fly Into Your Mouth! http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/12/09/spork-wings-fly-into-your-mouth/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/12/09/spork-wings-fly-into-your-mouth/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:38:11 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=7752 SPORK Wings Fly Into Your Mouth!
. . The savvy ladies over at Spork Foods took a break from making Weapons of Mass Deliciousness to write a cookbook, and they wanted to share it with us dudes. They even made us our very own special video. Don't be frightened by their sexy, glamorous cover shot, these gals know how to whip-up [...]]]> SPORK Wings Fly Into Your Mouth!
. . The savvy ladies over at Spork Foods took a break from making Weapons of Mass Deliciousness to write a cookbook, and they wanted to share it with us dudes. They even made us our very own special video. Don't be frightened by their sexy, glamorous cover shot, these gals know how to whip-up some serious dude-food. Whether you get it for yourself or a lucky lady or gentleman in your life, the agreement should be that these tangy, spicy, hearty wings of seitan need to fly into your mouth, pronto. Here is the official recipe from their cookbook: Spicy Seitan Buffalo Wings Sometimes people think that vegan food isn’t “man food,” but this dish is spicy and crunchy, and you can eat it with your hands — so it’s definitely man-approved. These make a super fun party snack—and if you’re cooking for a crowd that can take the heat, toss in some habañero peppers or scotch bonnets and make ’em breathe fire! Serves 6-8 Seitan Ingredients 1⁄2 cup whole wheat pastry flour 1⁄2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt 1⁄2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon evaporated cane sugarSpork Fed Cookbook 3 cups “chicken-style” seitan, 2 tablespoons neutral tasting high-heat oil Buffalo Wing Sauce Ingredients 2 heaping tablespoons non-dairy butter 1 large red bell pepper, diced 2 ripe red jalapeño peppers, diced 1⁄2 brown onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon sea salt 1⁄2 teaspoon celery seed 1⁄2 teaspoon parsley flakes Dash freshly grated nutmeg 1⁄4 cup soymilk creamer 1⁄4 cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar 1⁄2 cup water Directions
  1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. 2. In a large bowl, combine flours, cayenne, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and sugar, and whisk. Add seitan pieces and coat in flour mixture. Reserve 1 tablespoon flour mixture for sauce.
  3. 3. Place coated seitan pieces on a baking sheet and drizzle with oil. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until coating is crisp, turning them over once, halfway through baking.
  4. 4. For the sauce: While seitan is baking, in a large (6-quart) pot add butter, peppers, onion, garlic, paprika, sea salt, celery seed, parsley flakes and nutmeg. Add reserved tablespoon coating flour mixture. Cook on high heat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. 5. Add soymilk creamer, vinegar and water and cook about 5 minutes, or until peppers are soft. Transfer to a blender and blend sauce until smooth. Remove center of your blender lid to allow heat to escape. Cover blender opening with a cloth towel. Set sauce aside.
  6. 6. To serve, coat warm seitan in sauce. Serve warm.
Note: If you do not have a blender, use a food processor to make this sauce. The Sporkie Scoop FOR YOUR SMARTS Capsaicin is the component in chilies that makes them spicy and hot hot HOT. In 1912, a pharmacist named Wilbur Scoville came up with a way of measuring the units of heat in chilies: the Scoville scale. So what is the hottest pepper on the scale? The Naga Viper, measuring a whopping 1,359,000 units! That’s about 500 times hotter than a jalapeño! FOR YOUR PARTS Celery seeds aren’t just delish, they are also an amazing diuretic and can help treat health issues like gout. They assist your body with eliminating uric acid buildup.
Spork Foods is a Los Angeles-based gourmet vegan food company owned and operated by sisters Jenny Engel and Heather Goldberg. They offer live cooking classes at Spork Foods in West Hollywood, online vegan cooking classes at www.sporkonline.com, one-on-one in-home healthy pantry makeovers, and recipe development/trainings for chefs, food companies and colleges. Their cookbook, Spork-Fed, is currently on the shelves, with a foreword by fellow fans and sisters, Emily and Zooey Deschanel.
]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/12/09/spork-wings-fly-into-your-mouth/feed/ 6 Succulent Pulled-Eggplant Sandwich http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/09/06/succulent-pulled-eggplant-sandwich/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/09/06/succulent-pulled-eggplant-sandwich/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:20:15 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=7359 Succulent Pulled-Eggplant Sandwich
Using a low-heat, long-cook method with eggplant is worth the wait. In this sandwich, the eggplant is so tender that it practically falls apart. Paired with some crisp tempeh-bacon, tapioca-cheese, veganaise, fresh basil leaves and tenderized kale, your lunch guests will be begging for seconds. WHAT YOU'LL NEED (serves 4): • 1 large eggplant, skinned [...]]]> Succulent Pulled-Eggplant Sandwich
Using a low-heat, long-cook method with eggplant is worth the wait. In this sandwich, the eggplant is so tender that it practically falls apart. Paired with some crisp tempeh-bacon, tapioca-cheese, veganaise, fresh basil leaves and tenderized kale, your lunch guests will be begging for seconds. WHAT YOU'LL NEED (serves 4): • 1 large eggplant, skinned and sliced 1/2 inch thick • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1/2 cup white wine • 1/2 cup water • 2 Tbs Apple Cidar Vinegar • 2 Tbs Tahini (or almond butter) • 1 vegan bullion cube • 1 tbs nutritional yeast • 1 package of tempeh bacon (I use "Fakin' Bacon") • Fresh Basil • 4 large Kale leaves • 4 sesame-seed buns (or 8 slices of your favorite bread) DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large covered pot, add the eggplant , onion, wine, water, tahini, vinegar, bullion and nutritional yeast and bring to a slow simmer on low heat. 2. Allow this mixture to cook (occasionally adding more wine/water at a 1-to-1 ratio if it completely dries out) for at least 35 minutes, until the eggplant  does not resist any prodding and is tender and stringy. 3. Saute the tempeh bacon in a lightly oiled pan until crisp and golden. 3. Toast the bun with the equivalent of a slice of the cheese on one side. 4. Add veganiase to taste. 5. Lastly, tenderize the kale by crumpling it up into a ball in your fist, then  stack the sandwich including the 'fakin, kale and basil leaves.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/09/06/succulent-pulled-eggplant-sandwich/feed/ 1 Smoky Balsamic Seitan http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/04/21/smoky-balsamic-seitan/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/04/21/smoky-balsamic-seitan/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:08:53 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=6786 Smoky Balsamic Seitan
Ever since my local bodega in Brooklyn started carrying Ray's Seitan, I have been in culinary heaven. It's tender, lean, succulent, and versatile. It comes in what you'd think is a luscious oil, but it's actually a flavorless seaweed jelly that you can cook the stuff in and avoid using any oil at all (aside [...]]]> Smoky Balsamic Seitan
Ever since my local bodega in Brooklyn started carrying Ray's Seitan, I have been in culinary heaven. It's tender, lean, succulent, and versatile. It comes in what you'd think is a luscious oil, but it's actually a flavorless seaweed jelly that you can cook the stuff in and avoid using any oil at all (aside from a sprinkle of infused oil for a finishing ambrosial touch). Seitan sucks up flavor and begs to be slow-cooked in wine, sauce, broth, tomato juice or simply your favorite dressing. It is high in protein (11g per 3 oz) and contain zero fat. For more info, Ray's Setian is distributed by the company, Fresh Tofu Inc out of Allentown, PA. Seitan, however, is not a tofu-product and is free of soy. WHAT YOU'LL NEED (serves 2):
  • • 6 oz of Ray's Seitan (with jelly)
  • • 1 large shallot, sliced
  • • 2 cloves garlic, crushed & diced
  • • 1/2 cup cooking wine (white or red)
  • • 1/2 cup mushroom broth
  • • 2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
  • • 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
  • • 1 Tbs Nutritional Yeast
  • • Salt & Pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS: Easy! Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cover, and cook on low/med heat for 15-20 min, then uncover and continue cooking until the liquid dissipates. Drizzle on the truffle oil, and serve over veggies, quinoa, pasta or rice, or slap it on a sandwich. TIP: For a delicious and juicy effect that's great for pasta, add 1/4 cup water or wine at the very end - while still sizzling- and stir.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/04/21/smoky-balsamic-seitan/feed/ 14 Biggest Loser Unleashes Vegan Recipes! http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/10/14/biggest-loser-unleashes-vegan-recipes/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/10/14/biggest-loser-unleashes-vegan-recipes/#comments Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:06:51 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=5567 Biggest Loser Unleashes Vegan Recipes!
Fitness and nutrition expert, handsome hottie, and host of NBC's Biggest Loser, Bob Harper unleashed some vegan recipes on the entertainment industry last night. You can see all these healthy, scrumptious recipes HERE, including: •Roasted Cauliflower • Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Shaved Fennel Salad • Chopped Broccoli with Pine Nuts]]> Biggest Loser Unleashes Vegan Recipes!
BobFitness and nutrition expert, handsome hottie, and host of NBC's Biggest Loser, Bob Harper unleashed some vegan recipes on the entertainment industry last night. You can see all these healthy, scrumptious recipes HERE, including: •Roasted Cauliflower • Roasted Wild Mushrooms with Shaved Fennel Salad • Chopped Broccoli with Pine Nuts]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/10/14/biggest-loser-unleashes-vegan-recipes/feed/ 2 Mushroom Pate Black Bean Burger http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/10/01/mushroom-pate-black-bean-burger/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/10/01/mushroom-pate-black-bean-burger/#comments Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:23:31 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=5368 Mushroom Pate Black Bean Burger
I made this veggie burger as my entry to the Blackbird Parlour Veggie Burger Contest! I'll let you know if I make it the finals. My taste buds think I will... What You'll Need: • 1 tbs olive oil (for sauteing) • 1 apple, diced • 4 cloves garlic, diced • 2 med-large shallots, diced [...]]]> Mushroom Pate Black Bean Burger
I made this veggie burger as my entry to the Blackbird Parlour Veggie Burger Contest! I'll let you know if I make it the finals. My taste buds think I will... What You'll Need:
  • • 1 tbs olive oil (for sauteing)
  • • 1 apple, diced
  • • 4 cloves garlic, diced
  • • 2 med-large shallots, diced
  • • 4 cups mixed mushrooms, diced
  • • 15oz. can black beans, including liquid
  • • 1/4 cup water (or wine)
  • • 2 unsalted veg bouillon cubes
  • • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • • 4 Tbs nutritional yeast
  • • 1 tsp tamari
  • • 1 Tbs tomato paste
  • • 1 tbs fresh tarragon, diced
  • • 2 tsp salt
  • • 1 tsp black pepper
  • • 1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
  • • 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
  • • toppings
Directions:
  1. 1. Boil the brown rice until tender with one bouillon cube
  2. 2.  Meanwhile, In a large pan, saute in 1 tbs oil, the apple, garlic, shallots, mushrooms, and beans.
  3. 3. After about 15 minutes, add 1/4 cup water, the bouillon cube, liquid smoke, yeast, tamari, tomato paste, tarragon, salt and pepper.
  4. 4. Use a large fork to mash up the beans and combine the ingredients in the pan. Continue cooking until it has a thick paté texture (about 15 more mins).
  5. 5. Add the cooked rice and the vital wheat gluten
  6. 6. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes
  7. 7. Form into patties and saute at med heat.
  8. 8. Serve on a bun with the toppings of our choice. Today I used whole-grain mustard, ketchup, tomato, onion, vegan Daiya cheese, avocado, pickles and kale.
]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/10/01/mushroom-pate-black-bean-burger/feed/ 7 Keep on Keepin’ on, Fall for Loomstate & Get Unstitched http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/08/26/keep-on-keepin-on-fall-for-loomstate-get-unstitched/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/08/26/keep-on-keepin-on-fall-for-loomstate-get-unstitched/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:10:23 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=5055 Keep on Keepin’ on, Fall for Loomstate & Get Unstitched
• These are rad, plain and simple. Vegan, unisex moccasin-style sneaks from Keep. $75 • The new fall organic cotton tees from Loomstate hit the spot. $60 (But hey, Loomstate, I'm super bummed to see you starting to use livestock products like wool in sweaters, a leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions.) • Chloe Jo [...]]]> Keep on Keepin’ on, Fall for Loomstate & Get Unstitched
• These are rad, plain and simple. Vegan, unisex moccasin-style sneaks from Keep. $75 • The new fall organic cotton tees from Loomstate hit the spot. $60 (But hey, Loomstate, I'm super bummed to see you starting to use livestock products like wool in sweaters, a leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions.) Chippewa Mens Crew TeeTetons Mens Crew Tee • Chloe Jo at Girlie Girl Army introduces us to the unpressed collection from Unstitched Utilities, featuring Tyvek® material. These shoes are super lightweight, strong, casual, and comfortable. Tyvek is a made of recycled material that is lightweight and looks like paper, but is stronger than leather. • You make me sick! Who wants to eat a chicken's menstrual-cycle, anyway? With the largest egg recall in US history (more than a half billion eggs) and another huge meat recall in the works, now is best time to ditch animal products, if you haven't already! Replacing eggs in cooking and baking is a cinch, choose any of these options:
  • • 1 tbsp milled flax seed and 3 tbsp water = 1 egg (perfect for cake).
  • • 1/2 banana = 1 egg (delicious in pancakes/muffins)
  • • Ener-G Egg Replacer - follow directions on box.
  • • 2 tbsp cornstarch= 1 egg
  • • 2 tbsp arrowroot flour = 1 egg
  • • 2 tbsp potato starch = 1 egg
  • • 1 heaping tbsp soy powder + 2 tbsp water = 1 egg
  • • 2 tbsp applesauce = 1 egg (great in brownies)
Find out quick and easy tips on ditching dairy and meat, and start digging some tofu-scramble! ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/08/26/keep-on-keepin-on-fall-for-loomstate-get-unstitched/feed/ 0 Did July To Me? http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/28/did-july-to-me/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/28/did-july-to-me/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:55:33 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4601 Did July To Me?
• It is sweltering and it's not even July yet! This calls for some tank tops and light-weight shoes. Visit your local thrift store or get some organic cotton/ recycled poly tanks from Element, and slip-on red canvas boat shoes from Sanuk. • Now that summer is here, it's time to make some plans. Check [...]]]> Did July To Me?
• It is sweltering and it's not even July yet! This calls for some tank tops and light-weight shoes. Visit your local thrift store or get some organic cotton/ recycled poly tanks from Element, and slip-on red canvas boat shoes from Sanuk. Element Intrans Mens Tank Top in BlackA picture of the ELEMENT Cambridge Men's Tank Top in BlueA picture of the ELEMENT Cambridge Men's Tank Top in BlackSanuk Scurvy Mens Sidewalk Surfers in Red http://www.imageenvision.com/150/25826-clip-art-graphic-of-a-strawberry-ice-cream-cone-cartoon-character-surfing-on-a-blue-and-yellow-surfboard-by-toons4biz.jpg• Now that summer is here, it's time to make some plans. Check out my VegNews column, Super Eco Summer for everything from vacation ideas to NYC best ice cream shoppes - from sustainable surfing tips, to backyard gardening. Yes, that's a magical, surfing ice cream cone. • Check out VegNews' July Fourth survival guide for some awesome tips on food that will make any backyard barbecue sizzle. • Stars and stripes and spangled banners and weapons exploding in mid air! It's almost July 4th, and you know what that mean... war and meat! Well, that or a vegan hot dog-eating contest in Texas hosted by some bad-ass firefighters. If you're in Texas and think you're man enough to take on some serious eating competitors hwo can handle the heat, git on down to where the stars at night are big and bright. See their Facebook page. The Final Bun-tier 4th Annual Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW! ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/28/did-july-to-me/feed/ 1 Deep Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/23/deep-chocolate-chocolate-chip-cookies/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/23/deep-chocolate-chocolate-chip-cookies/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:28:45 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4591 Deep Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate is so versatile, satisfying and complex. When I have a craving for a chocolate experience, I don't want something mediocre - I want drama on my taste-buds. This recipe really enhances the chocolate experience with molasses, espresso, vanilla, almond, and coconut oil - deepening the flavor of the cocoa and allowing it to mingle [...]]]> Deep Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate is so versatile, satisfying and complex. When I have a craving for a chocolate experience, I don't want something mediocre - I want drama on my taste-buds. This recipe really enhances the chocolate experience with molasses, espresso, vanilla, almond, and coconut oil - deepening the flavor of the cocoa and allowing it to mingle with new subtleties. This is a wheat-free recipe*
WHAT YOU'LL NEED (makes about 2 dozen):
  • •3/4 cup non-dairy butter (I use Earth Balance)
  • •1/4 cup extra virgin, unrefined coconut oil (at room temp!)
  • •1/2 cup unrefined sugar
  • •1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbs molasses
  • •3/4 tsp. salt
  • •2 Tbs egg-replacer (I use Energie or flaxmeal)
  • •1 Tbs vanilla
  • • 1 shot of cold espresso (2 Tbs)
  • • 2 cups spelt flour
  • • ½ cup almond meal
  • • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • •1 cup vegan, semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Directions:
  1. 1. Put the espresso in the freezer to cool it down, then preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, cream together vegan butter, sugars, molasses, coconut oil and salt.
  2. 2. In a small bowl or mug, beat “egg replacer.” Then add to margarine-sugar mixture. Add vanilla and combine.
  3. 3. Slowly, little by little, add flour, stirring constantly to combine. Continue until all flour is well combined (it will get harder to combine the more flour you add).
  4. 4. Mix in chocolate chips and espresso.
  5. 5. Form dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Stick it in the oven, and they’ll be ready in about 13 to 18 minutes.
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