2 1/4 tsp or 1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
Mix the yeast and the warm water in a mixing bowl and leave alone for five minutes to ensure the yeast is alive. If it froths and bubbles, it is!
Add to the bowl:
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
4 tbsp ground flax seed + 6 tbsp water, whisked together
3 tbsp canola oil
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp sea salt
Mix on medium-low speed until blended. Add:
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cup bread flour
Knead on medium low speed in a stand mixer for about 5 minutes or about 10 minutes by hand. The dough should be elastic and smooth.
Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turn it once to coat the top with oil, then cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for about 2 1/2 hours in a warm place.
Punch down the dough, knead a bit, and then refrigerate for about 4-5 hours until the dough has doubled.
Divide the dough into three balls and let them rest, covered with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, for about 15 minutes.
Roll each ball into a rope about 12 inches in length. Dust with flour.
Place the three ropes side-by-side. Now pinch together the top ends and carefully braid the three, like you'd braid your hair. For instance, pick the left rope and place it between the right and the middle rope, then pick the right rope and place it between the left and middle ropes, and so on.
Pinch together the ends and tuck them under the bread.
Transfer the loaf to a baking sheet dusted with cornmeal.
Brush the top of the loaf with some olive oil which will give it a lovely glaze after baking.
Cover the loaf with oiled plastic wrap and set it in a warm place to rise. In about an hour, it would have nearly doubled in size.
Brush the loaf again with olive oil, sprinkle some sesame seeds over it, then place it in a preheated 375-degree oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Cool the loaf on a rack before cutting in.
Sprouted Lentil Salad
¼ cup red lentils
¼ cup green lentils
¼ cup black lentils (or French lentils)
chopped celery
chopped green onions
chopped parsley
chopped cilantro
grated carrots
grated beets
chopped red cabbage
1 red bell pepper, or ½ red and ½ green pepper
½ sweet red or yellow onion
grated zucchini (optional)
diced cucumber (optional)
lemon juice
extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil
dulse seaweed, kelp seaweed, or sea salt
Nama Shoyu or Soy sauce
a pinch of cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic or more
Wash the lentils in water separately, making sure that there are no stones or other matter in the lentils. Soak the lentils in tepid water in a glass jar or in a bowl overnight. They will expand by at least a ½ if not more, so make sure there is enough water for them to expand without going dry. Drain the water in the morning, rinse them in cold water under the faucet and put them in a colander or other container where they can germinate for at least 4-6 hours. You will know they have germinated by a tiny growth tail, and they will be soft to eat.
Chop and grate your vegetables, adding or subtracting the vegetables you want to eat. Those in the list are some of the choices you have. Add your own favorites. Put all of these vegetables in a different bowl from the sprouted lentils.
Mix the lemon juice, oil, and spices in a bowl or container.
Putting your salad together
The amount of lentils in your salad should be about 1/2 of the ingredients. Add handfuls of your chopped and grated vegetables and mix thoroughly. Add the dressing and taste the salad. Let the salad “marinate” for at least an hour, so that the flavors soak into everything. Taste again and add more dressing if needed. This salad can be served with other vegetable dishes or green salads. For optimum digestion, do not eat this salad with fruit dishes.
Mock Gefilte
½ cup cashews, soaked overnight
½ cup almonds, soaked overnight
½ cup pine nuts, soaked overnight
½ cup green onion /scallions, chopped
½ bunch parsley, chopped
¼ cup water
2 tsp Braggs Amino’s, Dr. Bronners Bullion, Nama Shoyu or another “salty” liquid
¼ - ½ cup lemon juice
1 clove or more fresh garlic
½ tsp onion powder
1 tsp – 1 TBS or more of kelp granules (this creates the “fishy” flavor)
In a Champion juicer, run the soaked cashews, almonds, and pine nuts through with the ‘solid’ blank attached. The mixture will come out very thick. Turn into a bowl and add the lemon juice, aminos, and a small amount of the water until it is a wet paté consistency, adding more water if needed. Mix. Add the onions, parsley, and other seasonings. Taste for flavor and “fishiness.” Form into patties, and let seasonings continue to flavor the paté. Serve on a bed of lettuce with a small amount of fresh grated horseradish on the side. Serves 4 – 8 or more depending on the size of the patties.
Chickpea Falafal Balls
- ½ cup bulgar wheat
- 1 whole yam (large)
- 2 tbsp plant-based milk
- 1 whole garlic clove
- 3 tbsp fresh Italian parlsey
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 2 tbsp chickpea flour
- 3 tbsp whole wheat bread crumbs
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried parsley flakes
Carrot Spice Muffins
- 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour (or a mixture of whole wheat and unbleached flours)
- 1/4 cup natural sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/2 cup soy yogurt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cup shredded carrots (about 3)
- 1/4 cup raisins
- Optional topping: Vanilla sugar
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray or use muffin liners. (I used silicone muffin pans.)
- Mix together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the liquid ingredients. Add the liquid to the dry and mix just long enough to combine. Add the carrots and raisins and stir to combine.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin cups–it will be very thick. Sprinkle with vanilla sugar, if desired. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Note: People sensitive to soy may try substituting rice milk or other non-dairy milk.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
1/2 cups whole wheat flour
For cream cheese icing, use electric beaters to whip and combine 1 container Tofutti cream cheese, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/2 cup confectioners sugar at a time until the consistency is thick and sweet enough.