Vegan Walnut and Mushroom Pâté

On Saturday night I went to my friend Melanie’s house for an impromptu Thanksgiving.

She felt bad that this was my 5th Thanksgiving away from home, and decided to host a special dinner in honor of my missed American holiday.

She’s a good friend like that.

Everyone brought delicious food to share but the hit of the night was the vegan walnut and mushroom Pâté. Erica, the impressive vegan cook, promised the recipe but I was too impatient and decided to attempt the dish on my own.

Besides, I had another Thanksgiving the next day and knew I had to bring the Pâté. Although my version wasn’t spot on to Erica’s, it was still very tasty!

You just need to get over the fact that Pâté looks gross regardless of its contents.

I used more herbs than pictured here.

The soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and vegetable broth were an afterthought, added post picture taking.

Vegan Mushroom and Walnut Pâté

2 cups walnuts, lightly toasted

2 cups brown mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 medium onion, minced

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 handful fresh thyme, leaves picked

1 handful fresh parsley, roughly chopped

1 tsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

no more than 1/4 cup vegetable broth

1/3 cup cooked potatoes (leftover mashed potatoes work well)

Method

1. Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook the onions and garlic until tender. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook until the mushrooms are cooked, about 7 minutes.
2. Place the walnuts, thyme and parsley in a food processor and pulse until a very fine consistency.
3. Add the mushroom mixture and potatoes to the food processor and continue to process drizzling in the remaining olive oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and vegetable broth. Taste the pate and season with salt, pepper and additional spices as desired.
4. Place the pate in a serving dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The flavor will improve with time. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.

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Thanksgiving 2010

I know I’ve not been the best blogger lately, life has certainly been crazy. Now that the play and parent-teacher conferences are over, I can resume life as usual.

First order on the agenda, Giving Thanks.

Thanksgiving dinner was celebrated at my colleague’s house this year.

He’s a funny guy and an excellent cook.

He and his wife were able to recreate a traditional Thanksgiving feast in the land of sausages and sauerkraut.

When we walked into their home, it smelled like Thanksgiving.

The food was outstanding.

I contributed Vegan Mushroom and Walnut Pâté (post coming tomorrow), pumpkin and gnocchi casserole and Jenna’s Maple Pecan Squares.

We talked and laughed the night away.

I have so much to be thankful for.

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Early Advent

Sebastian has been in Berlin for the past week.

As we walked from the train station to a Thanksgiving dinner at my colleague’s house last night, he recounted a story that only gained hilarity as the night wore on….

The story started in a not-so-funny way. Sebastian lost his debit card. When asked to verify his ticket on the train ride back to Bonn, he opened his wallet only to discover that his debit card was not there.

With only 50 cents cash and no debit card, it was looking like a long and hungry 5 hour trip from Berlin to Bonn.

That is until he realized he had food after all.

He had his Advent calendar, 24 glorious little windows containing bite-sized chocolate salvation. His mother had given him the calendar to build up the excitement of the birth of our Savior one piece of chocolate at a time.

I asked him what the other people around him thought as he popped open the windows in the Advent calendar and ate the chocolate inside.

Being the smart boy that he is, he hid the calendar away from disapproving eyes in his laptop bag.

The advent calendar got him through.

He did not starve.

He did not famish.

He arrived hungry but able to walk.

Once at the Thanksgiving dinner, my colleague’s son caught sight of the calendar hiding inside Sebastian’s satchel. Without blinking, he asked to look at it.

Sebastian handed him the skeleton of advents past and proclaimed in a smug voice, “If you can find chocolate in there, it’s all yours.”

Sure enough, he peeled back window number 25 and revealed the biggest chocolate of all; the one and only piece Sebastian’s hungry hands missed.

Happy Advent everyone.

May your calendars be complete and your chocolate be dark.

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Expat Blogs

Are you an expatriate?

Do you enjoy reading blogs written by people who live abroad?

Would you like to know more about living abroad?

Maybe you simply want to make friends with other bloggers in your area.

If so, visit a new-to-me website, Expat Blog.

I have had so much fun discovering blogs written by other people in similar situations to my own. There are blogs of every kind written by expatriates all over the world.

If you haven’t heard of it yet, please also visit Healthy Living Blogs to find blogs from around the world which focus on food and healthy living.

Happy Surfing.

Enjoy!

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Mama Pea’s Cookies

I made Mama Pea’s dough balls 2 weeks ago.

Her sweet, delicate, dissolve-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookie dough balls.

They were a birthday gift.

Homemade food gifts are the best.

My dad’s cousin Christine is the queen of food gifts.

We love her and her food gifts.

For your information, whole wheat flour works just fine.

If you love your friends and family, you will make them these cookies.

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Earnest Acting

Over the last week, I have worked full-time from 8:30-4:30, arrived at the theatre by 5:45 and left the theatre at 11:30.

 

Over the last week, I have had approximately 5 hours of sleep per night.

 

Over the last week, I have spent 24 hours on stage.

 

Over the last week, I have acted in two run-through performances and 5 real performances for over 1,500 audience members.

 

Over the last week, 10 of my 19 students have witnessed their teacher in a new light.

This ‘new light’ has made for some very interesting conversations back at school. 

A conversation between myself and one of my students:

Me:I’m so glad you liked the play last night. Did you recognize me when I first came on stage?

Adorable 8 year old male pupil: Well you were different. Your hair looked different. Your clothes were different and your voice was different, but I knew it was you when you smiled.

 

Girl pupil who had not yet seen the play: Ms. I can’t wait to see you in the play. My friend told me I’ll finally get to see what you look like when you get really mad!

This coming a week after another conversation with one of my students which went something like this:

Girl: Ms. Brady, you’re the best teacher in the whole world.

Me: Why is that? (Expecting to hear about the exciting lessons and creative learning opportunities I labor over each day of the week…)

Girl: You never have to get mad at us because we know when you start to get angry. Your eyes go really big like this! (Taking in a deep breath and popping out her eyes.)

Another short dialogue:

Me: What was your favorite part of the play?

Little boy: The part when the little girl (she’s 23) gave you the coffee (it was tea) with sugar in it even though you didn’t want sugar in your coffee (he meant tea.) Then she gave you the cake when you said you wanted the sandwiches (bread and butter.) Then you got really, really mad! That was the best part!

The best part for me was working with such talented actors, efficient stage crew, creative hair, makeup and costume crew and a wonderful director. 

Thank you to all who helped make The Importance of Being Earnest such a wonderful success!

 The Importance of Being Earnest, The Bonn Players 2010.

Although I feel a bit strange plastering my face all over this here blog, I know my friends and family back home will appreciate it! Photos courtesy of the Schroers family.

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Opening Night

For those of you who do not know me personally, this may come as a surprise.

I am a teacher by day and an actress by night.

Although I’ve not mentioned it on here before, I’ve been rehearsing to perform in a play since before the summer holidays. After many long hours and months of rehearsing, tonight is finally opening night.

I will be performing in the English theatre group, The Bonn Players’ performance of The Importance of Being Earnest.

The dress rehearsal went very well last night and I have a good, although nervous feeling about tonight.

Before heading to the theater, a fast and filling dinner was required.

  Cooked garlic, eggplant and mushrooms with crushed chili flakes.

Italian noodles, given to me as a birthday gift!

Nearly there…

Pasta with Eggplant and Mushrooms

Similar to Pasta alla Norma

Ingredients

• olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, slivered
• 1 eggplant, spongy parts removed and cut into chunks
• 5 large mushrooms, chopped into chunks
• 1 crushed dried red chili pepper
• 1 can tomato sauce
• salt to taste
• Italian seasoning to taste
• pinch of sugar
• Parmesan cheese… lots of it!
• cooked pasta

Method

1. Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick pan. Cook 1 clove of slivered garlic until translucent. Add the eggplant and chili- cook over medium heat until partially cooked. Add the mushrooms and season with salt. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Remove from heat.
2. Heat 2 Tbsp. more olive oil in the same skillet. Cook the remaining 2 cloves of garlic until translucent. Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and sugar. Toss in a small handful of parmesan cheese and cook over medium low heat until the sauce thickens a bit. Taste and flavor as needed.
3. Add the cooked mushrooms and eggplant to the tomato sauce.  Cook through. Add the cooked noodles and toss to coat. Throw in another handful of parmesan.
4. Serve with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan.

I hope my garlic breath doesn’t cause anguish on stage tonight!

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Long Night of the Cologne Museums

Last Saturday, Sebastian and I spent the day in Cologne.

We did a little shopping in the afternoon, went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and then spent the night exploring the museums of Cologne.

Lange Nacht der Kölner Museen

After buying our tickets for 15 Euros per person, we were free to visit any and all of the 44 museums in Cologne who participated in the event.

The museums were organized into 4 tours. Special busses were used to transport guests between the museums in each tour.

The first museum we visited was the Römisch-Germainisches Museum. The Roman-Germanic Museum.

The Roman Empire was quite established in the Cologne area. This museum focused on the Roman artifacts found locally.

Sebastian was excited to see that the Ancient Romans used the same salt and pepper shakers as we do.

In my opinion, The main most impressive pieces from the museum were the mosaic floors.

   Ironically, these 2,000 year old Roman mosaics were discovered in the course of WWII during the construction of a bomb shelter.

Weird and ironic, huh?

Next stop, the Domgrabung Köln, the Foundation of the Cologne Cathedral.

The Döm from above…

… the Döm from below…

We wandered through the excavated foundation for a few minutes before heading out. It was interesting but probably the kind of thing that would be better when the details are explained through a guide.

I thought this piece of art was pretty cool though. It is the Cathedral in music.

After that, we changed to another “tour line” and visited the Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, the Cologne City Museum.

Cameras weren’t allowed in this museum but it was interesting. It focused a lot on how Cologne was influential due to it’s position on the river Rhine. It also had a fun section about school days in the late 1800s.

Our final museum for the night was Museum Ludwig, an art museum with a wonderful mixture of classic and modern art. This museum was my favorite, naturally. I simply love art museums.

The museums were open from 7pm-3am. By midnight, we were museumed out and decided to start heading home.

It was such a great day together!

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Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza

After celebrating the last two Christmases in Germany, I’m finally going home this year.

Unfortunately, it’s looking like Sebastian won’t be coming with. Oh how I wish he was a teacher.

This past weekend while in Cologne, we bought a bag of hazelnut flavored coffee. Flavored coffees don’t exist here in Germany and Dunkin’ Doughnuts is the only place to buy flavored beans.

The coffee purchase sparked a whole conversation on the foods and restaurants I look forward to visiting once back in the US.

Naturally, Chicago style deep-dish pizza was on my list.

The last time I was home, I enjoyed the cheesy delight with my friend Christina.

Saddened by the fact that Sebastian was going to miss out on this culinary masterpiece, we resolved to bring Chicago to Germany.

With the help of this blog and this recipe, we were able to do just that!

Homemade Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

We followed this recipe almost exactly. The only substitution was using fresh yeast and different sized pans. We also mixed and kneaded the dough by hand.

This recipe calls for simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have.

  The combination of butter, oil and cornmeal into this dough make it delicate and crunchy all at once.

Mixing by hand works perfectly well.

 While the dough is rising, prepare the sauce.

Simple enough with canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning and garlic.

 Oil the pans then check on the dough.

Fresh yeast has yet to fail me.

If you are afraid of baking with yeast, do yourself a favor and find fresh yeast. It will change your life.

The dough punching honor went to Sebastian this time.

He’s a pizza-making pro.

Prebake the crust.

The mozzarella layer goes on the bottom, followed by your veggies and meat. Sebastian chose a Milano salami for his half.

Next up, tomato sauce.

Then parmesan and olive oil

  As the pizza bakes, your house will smell increasingly amazing.

Let the cooked and de-panned pizza sit for 15 minutes before cutting.

Finally, dig into the delicious layers! 

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza

Recipe from King Arthur Flour

Crust

• 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 3 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 block fresh yeast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or salad oil
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons lukewarm water

Filling

• 2 balls mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 3 cups of the sautéed vegetables, mushrooms, onions and green peppers
• 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, lightly crushed; or 28-ounce can diced or chopped tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced, optional
• 1 tablespoon sugar, optional (we didn’t use)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons Pizza Seasoning or mixed dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, rosemary), to taste
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, to drizzle on top

Directions

1) To make the crust: Break the yeast into the warm water with a sprinkle of sugar, allow to foam a bit then mix the dough ingredients, and knead to make a smooth crust. This will take about 7 minutes at medium-low speed in a stand mixer or about 3 minutes stirring and 10 minutes kneading by hand.

2) Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise till very puffy, about 60 minutes.

3) While the dough is rising, ready your 14" deep-dish pizza pan. (We used 1 pan which is about 10 inches and another smaller pan) Grease it with non-stick vegetable oil spray, then pour in 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil, tilting it to cover the bottom of the pan, and partway up the sides.

4) Stretch the dough to make as large a circle as you can. You can do this on a lightly oiled baking mat, if you choose; or simply stretch the dough in your hands.

5) Lay the dough in the pan, and stretch it towards the edges till it starts to shrink back. Cover, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Start preheating the oven to 425°F while the dough rests.

6) Stretch the dough to cover the bottom of the pan, then gently push it up the sides of the pan. The olive oil may ooze over the edge of the crust; that’s OK. Let the crust rest for 15 minutes or so, as your oven comes up to 425°F.

8) Bake the crust for 10 minutes, until it’s set and barely beginning to brown. While it’s baking, prepare the filling.

9) Drain the tomatoes thoroughly. Combine them with the Pizza Seasoning or herbs, and the garlic and sugar (if you’re using them). Add salt to taste; you probably won’t need any additional salt if you’ve used the Pizza Seasoning.

10) Cover the bottom of the crust with the sliced mozzarella, fanning it into the crust. Add the meat or sautéed vegetables, then the tomato mixture.

11) Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan, and drizzle with the olive oil.

12) Bake the pizza for about 25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and carefully lift it out of the pan onto a rack. A giant spatula is a help here. Allow the pizza to cool for about 15 minutes (or longer, for less oozing) before cutting and serving.

Yield: about 12 servings.

 

Crispy, flaky, buttery crust.

Lightly seasoned tomatoes.

Two layers of gooey cheese.

A taste of home.

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A Day in Food

I’ve really been into sharing recipes and travels lately.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a general “a day in food” post.

Today seemed appropriate enough to bring the food journal back.

Breakfast

Baked apple yogurt, apple from one of my student’s trees, oats, flax and pecans.

I love this time of the culinary year in Germany. Christmas-flavored food and teas begin to decorate the shelves. The baked apple yogurt is definitely a favorite. I wish it was sold year-round.

Morning Snack

Raspberry birthday cupcake with whipped frosting and pistachios. The birthday girl was quick to point out that there was gold on the raspberries. Yes, gold. Can you tell I work in a private school?

Lunch

Leftover palak paneer and brown rice.

If you like palak paneer, I beg you to try this recipe. It was even more rich and divine a couple days later.

On Mondays I now have “Encouragement Club.” Today we wrote positive and encouraging messages on sticky notes (in German) and stuck them under the windshield wipers of cars in nearby parking lots.

The kids had so much fun running around trying not to be seen. They’re starting to get the thrill of doing something good for someone else in an anonymous fashion.

We also had fun watching people stop at each of the cars to read our messages as they walked past. Even carless onlookers walked off smiling.

After school I tutored then went to the gym for Body Balance. Once home I had an IKEA-inspired dinner.

Dinner

Boiled potatoes, vegetarian ‘meatballs’ and mushrooms and the IKEA lingonberry preserves.

As you can imagine, I have IKEA-ish leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Today wasn’t the healthiest day in food, but a good day of food nonetheless.

I hope your Monday was a good one. Have a great week!

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