Sunday Supper: Gourmet Veg*n Sausage Rolls

Hello Glamour Dolls!

If you're from the British Commonwealth you'll more than likely know what a Sausage Roll is- however, they're not nearly as common here in the U.S.! They're a delightful treat for either a Potluck, Party or just for a comforting dinner at home (perfect with Salad!). 

The ingredient combination sounds strange- but I can assure you they are delicious! Even if your family isn't Vegetarian / Vegan- these are less than half the calories and fat of regular meat-based Sausage Rolls! 

As this recipe makes a lot (32 sausage rolls) I often divide it in half. However, you can also wrap them up individually after cooking and freeze them and reheat them in the oven as necessary! 

Serve them with lashings of Ketchup (aka 'Tomato Sauce') and enjoy!

Gourmet Veg*n Sausage Rolls:

Ingredients:
1 Onion, roughly chopped
2 Carrots, peeled & grated
2 Green Onions, chopped
2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
1/2 cup Italian Breadcrumbs + extra for garnish
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 cup Pecans
1 cup Quick Cooking Oats
2 cups Cottage Cheese (Vegan Subsitute Recipe Here)
3 Eggs or equivalent Egg Replacer
Salt & Pepper to taste
5 Sheets Puff Pastry (Pepperidge Farm brand is Vegan)
Milk or Almond Milk for Brushing
Sesame Seeds for Garnish

Method:
1) Combine Onion, Green Onion, Garlic and Pecans in Food Processor until nuts are lightly ground
2) Add Eggs, Soy Sauce, Breadcrumbs, Cottage Cheese, Salt, Pepper and Carrot and process until well combined
3) By hand, stir in Oats
4) Place mix in the fridge and defrost 5 sheets of Puff Pastry
5) Once Puff Pastry is defrosted, cut each sheet in half
6) Place a 'sausage' of the mixture about an inch wide and 1/2 inch high all along the long length of a piece of the pastry, about an inch from the edge (if you're used to regular sausage rolls, the mixture will seem more watery but don't worry, it will become more firm when cooked)
7) Fold up both sides of the pastry and seal to create a long 'log' with the filling in the middle. Cut into 4 sausage rolls. 
8) Repeat with the rest of the pastry
9) Place sausage rolls carefully on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper
10) Lightly brush each sausage roll with Milk or Almond Milk (this will help the pastry become more golden)
11) Sprinkle with Breadcrumbs and Sesame Seeds
12) Bake at 425 F for 20-25 minutes or until pastry is puffed and golden brown
13) Serve with Ketchup and Salad or piled high on a large platter for company!

Veg*n Cottage Cheese Substitute

If you are Vegan or Lactose Intolerant you can easily make this 'Cottage Cheese' substitute for any recipe that calls for Cottage Cheese, including the Retro Veg*n Not-Meat-Loaf below!

VEGAN COTTAGE CHEESE:

Ingredients:

16 oz (450grams) Firm Tofu Block, plain flavor, drained

2/3 cup Vegan Mayonnaise (I used Vegannaise but any available to you will do)

2 tsp Onion Powder

2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Salt (just a tiny pinch) 

Method:
1) Cut tofu into large chunks

2) Place in saucepan and cover with water

3) Bring to boil on stove. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes

4) Drain well

5) Chill, uncovered in the refrigerator until cool enough to handle

6) Once cool, crumble and place in bowl with remaining ingredients

7) Mash until mixture has a fine, grainy texture like Cottage Cheese

8) Put back in refrigerator and chill overnight before serving or using, to allow flavors to blend

Veg*n Not-Meat-Loaf!

Hello Again Glamour Girls (and Guys!),

I intend to make a step-by-step YouTube video detailing how to do this, but you'll just have to deal with the bare minimum in the meantime! As a regular segment on this website, I wish to bring you Vegan/ Vegetarian versions of popular Retro Recipes. 

Ask anybody in the United States what food they think of when they think '1950s' and almost always the answer will be Meatloaf! Our favorite TV mothers in the 1950s (through the 1970s) served their children the affordable American staple, undoubtedly with sides of Mashed Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts. 

I'm not here to preach to you about the benefits of a Vegetarian or Vegan diet (although- I do strongly  believe in the benefits for the welfare of our dear animal friends, our planet earth, and our bodies). Partaking in a Veg*n diet is something you have to decide for yourself. What I wish to show you however, is how easy it can be to go meat-free yet still have delicious comfort food with little effort. So, if you're already a Veg*n, planning to become one, or just wish to have some meat free days, read on!

Additional PLUS is that this is less calories than your regular Meat-based Meatloaf!

Retro Veg*n Not-Meat-Loaf:

8 servings approx @ 280 calories/ serving

Ingredients:

1 cup Walnuts, finely chopped

16 oz Cottage Cheese (see Vegan Cottage Cheese recipe above! Use all of it!)

4 Cage Free/ Free Range Eggs, well beaten

1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

1oz packet Dry Onion Soup mix (I used Lipton) 

2 cups Cornflakes or Weetabix, lightly crushed

1/4 cup Onion, chopped

1/4 cup Green Onion, chopped

1 cup Carrot, finely grated

1 tbsp Garlic, crushed
BBQ Sauce for topping (I used Kansas City Masterpiece)

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C)

2) Grease a loaf pan (I used cooking spray and a 9" x 5" loaf pan)

3) In a large bowl, beat eggs

4) Add Cottage Cheese, Vegetable Oil, Onion Soup Mix, Walnuts, Cornflakes, Onion, Garlic, Green Onion and Carrot

5) Combine all ingredients well

6) Spoon into prepared loaf pan

7) Bake for 60-70 minutes

8) After 30 minutes, remove from oven and liberally spread BBQ sauce all over the top (this will be the bottom when serving)- return to oven for another 30-40 minutes.

9) Remove from oven and allow the loaf to 'rest' for 10 minutes- this will help firm it up

10) Run a knife around the edges and then turn out onto a serving platter. Cut into slices to serve.

Sorry mine looks a little messy on the platter! It was YUMMY though! I served mine with a side of Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob and Green Beans. I also slathered my slices with extra BBQ sauce for flavor. DH put Ketchup and Tabasco on his! 

Please stay tuned as when I get a Digital Camcorder I will be showing you exactly how to make this on YouTube! If you try this out in the meantime, post a comment and let me know what you think!

Stay Glamorous!