Thursday, May 21, 2009

Japanese Steel

It's no Hitori Hanzo sword, but I have Japanese steel! You know the part in the Veganomicon where Isa and Terry tell you to consider dropping a benjamin on a good knife? You should listen. My brother showed up on vacation with his Top Chef style knife kit and well, I got a little jealous. So the ninja (who sanctions all household weaponry) got me a new knife set. Let me tell you this baby slices through a potato like it was buttah (or Earth Balance, whatever.)

On to this evenings creation. It's potato, mushroom, and red swiss chard layered and topped with sauteed leeks. I used a 4 inch springform pan for the mold.

Mashed potato Layer: potato, earth balance, unsweetened silk, tofutti sour cream, salt and fine herbes

Mushroom Layer: cremini 'schrooms, olive oil, sake, fine herbs, salt

Swiss Chard Leaves Layer: swiss chard leaves, olive oil, garlic, salt

Swiss Chard Stems Layer: Thinly sliced stems from swiss chard cut into bite sized ribbons, olive oil, and hickory bacon salt. Yes, I said Bacon salt. The hickory, peppered, applewood, and mesquite flavors are vegan.

I also quickly pan fried the tempeh and added some bacon salt to that, too.

For dessert we had a baked asian apple pear. I saw this on Christina Cooks. I ate most of it before I remembered to shoot the photo, but you get the idea...

10 comments:

Sindy said...

Everything looks delicious! Yeah, I get jealous whenever I see those Top Chef people pull out their knife collections, so nicely folded in those customized cloth holder thingys.

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

I treated myself to a new knife in March when i moved into my new place and it has made SUCH a difference to my cooking, it's brilliant.

the potato / mushroom creation looks delicious.

Veganosaurus said...

Look absolutely delish!! Mmmm

Lisa -- Cravin' Veggies said...

Whoa Jenn! Those knives are... sexy!!

I've recently invested $$ in a paring knife -- figured it was the knife my kids use the most and better would be safer.

A good quality chef's knife is next of my list.

And that pear looks divine!!!

Gina said...

Agreed, nice knives are worth the money.

I looove apple pears, I have never thought of baking them, yum!

Vic Robinson said...

Very nice and very creative! I am inspired!

Tara said...

Everything looks so good! Enjoy your knives!

Bianca said...

I need a good knife set...sigh...I think I'll to wait til Xmas. I keep meaning to try that bacon salt.

Monique a.k.a. Mo said...

Ooh. Good knives changed my life. But I would love to buy some even better ones.

Everything looks great.

Tracy said...

Wow! Looks amazing, very well put together.