So, I started this blog with the hopes of updating with new recipes and ponderings on a daily basis. Unfortunately I got lazy, busy, whatever. Then one day I'm browsing the posts on Facebook and low and behold I see Post Punk Kitchen's post about a Vegan Chopped! I love Chopped! I was inspired to make something new and post something on my blog! Thank you Isa! I must say with ingredients like blackberries, black eyed peas, fresh mint and bittersweet chocolate it was a challenge but I think it came out great. So here we go:
Ingredients:
"Steak"
1 15 oz can black eyed peas - drained and mashed
1 medium onion - finely chopped
1 jalapeno - finely chopped
1 clove garlic - finely chopped
1/2 Roma tomato - broiled
2 Tbsp fresh mint
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 cups flour
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1 cup cornmeal
Mole
2-1/2 Roma tomato - broiled
1 clove garlic
1 Chipolte - canned in Adobo
1 tsp Adobo - see above
1/2 cup fresh blackberries
2 Tbsp crushed walnuts
1 oz bittersweet chocolate
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable broth
Everything in this recipe comes together super easy which made the 40 minute time limit a piece of cake. First off, place 3 Roma tomatoes in the broiler for about 5 minutes. While you're waiting for them to char a little, in a bowl mix together all of the "steak" ingredients in a bowl except for the water, flour and corn meal. Next place all of the mole ingredients together in a blender except for the vegetable broth. By this point the tomatoes should be just about done. Cut one in half and chop up the half into smallish pieces and toss it in the bowl with the other steak ingredients. Take the rest of the tomatoes and put them in the blender and blend until thoroughly mixed. Pour your sauce into a skillet that has been very lightly oiled and allow to cook for about 10-15 minutes. Now that your enjoying the aromatic smells of your mole cooking, you can begin to make your steaks. Pour in the water and flour and mix the ingredients together. I start with 1 cup of flour and add more to get the right consistency. Your batter should be thick enough to form a patty, but not still sticky. Set your oven to 250 degrees and set up a frying pan on the stove with enough canola oil to cover the bottom. Right next to your pan set up a plate with the cup of cornmeal on it. Take about 1/6 of the steak mixture and form a rough patty with your hands. You will get messy - just embrace it. place the patty on the cornmeal and coat the exterior. Lay the patty in the frying pan being careful not to splash the oil. Now back to the mole - take your mole mixture off the stove and pour it back into the blender and add the vegetable broth and mix until smooth. Get back to the stove before your steaks start burning. Flip your steaks once the first sides are golden brown. When the second sides have finished cooking, place them on a baking sheet and toss them in the oven for about 10 minutes. When you've finished toss a steak on a plate, cover with some of your mole, grab an ice cold beer and enjoy.
