Simple Slow Cooker No-Sugar Apple Butter

7 Comments

Looking for a sweet treat to spread on your piece of toast? Consider homemade apple butter instead of jam or jelly. I love it combined with almond or peanut butter on fresh-from-the-oven bread… or topped on vanilla coconut milk ice cream.

apple butter

Simple No-Sugar Apple Butter

11 to 12 sweet-tart apples, such as Mutsu (my favourite!), cut into small chunks
2 cups apple cider
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Mix to combine. Cook on high for 4 hours. Reduce the temperature to low for 2 hours. Remove the lid and use an immersion blender to purée until smooth. Continue cooking, uncovered, stirring infrequently, for an additional 5 to 8 hours until very thick.

Slow-Baked Thanksgiving Tofu

7 Comments

Thyme and sage, along with celery and carrot, remind me of the makings of a good Thanksgiving stuffing. Be sure to press out as much liquid from the tofu as possible, which helps it absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. This recipe easily can be doubled and tripled.

Thanksgiving Tofu

Slow-Baked Thanksgiving Tofu

1 (175g/6.1oz) block super-firm tofu
1/2 cup (120mL) celery, diced
1/2 cup (120mL) carrots, peeled and diced
2 shallots, diced
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (60mL) vegetable broth or mushroom broth
2 tablespoons (30mL) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (30mL) apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons (10mL) dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon (5mL) ground sage
Sea or Himalayan salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Cut the tofu cross-wise three times to make three slabs. Wrap in paper towels and put on a cutting board. Put a heavy object (such as a plate with a few canned goods on top) on top of it to press out excess liquid. Let sit about 1/2 hour, changing paper towels when they are soaked through.

Preheat the oven to 425 F. After the tofu is pressed, cut each slab into nine cubes. Put in a small glass baking dish with celery, carrots, shallots, and garlic. Add the broth, olive oil, cider vinegar, thyme, sage, and salt and pepper. Mix well. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, stir the mixture, and bake for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until browned and crispy.

Mushroom Nut Loaf

14 Comments

This recipe is relatively flexible in terms of the nuts and herbs. I love swapping the pecans and almonds for walnuts and heartnuts, and adding savory and sage to the other herbs, as well.

nut loaf

Mushroom Nut Loaf

2 tablespoons (30mL) extra-virgin olive oil
2 small onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups (480mL) chopped cremini mushrooms
1 cup (240mL) almonds, chopped (see Note)
3/4 cup (180mL) pecans, chopped (see Note)
1 tablespoon (15mL) fresh thyme
1/2 tablespoon (7mL) fresh rosemary
1/2 cup (120mL) apple cider
1/4 cup (60mL) sorghum flour
Sea or Himalayan salt
Freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, mushrooms and nuts. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the herbs, apple cider, and sorghum flour. Mix until smooth, cooking until the mixture has thickened, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.

Use a spatula to scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, until firm and lightly browned. Let stand at least 20 minutes before turning out of the pan. Serve warm.

Note: Finely chop most the nuts, leaving a couple tablespoons  in tact for a nice crunch. (This is easily done in a food processor). The finer chopping aids in a loaf that stays together when slicing. Similarly, if you unmold it too soon, it will not stay together when slicing.