Vegetarians in Paradise
 Vegetarian Cooking with Zel


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Without fail, Thanksgiving brings out our most nostalgic memories. Often those treasured times call to mind remembrances of the delicious stuffing our mothers and grandmothers brought to the table at holiday time.

Those flavors we remember so fondly may have been savory, sage-infused, and earthy, or perhaps they were sweet, fruity, and spicy. Each year I debate whether to prepare a savory stuffing or one more focused on the fruity side.

This year I've settled my own conundrum by uniting both sides of the sweet-savory debate and adding one of my very favorite foods of the autumn season--CHESTNUTS!

If you don't have the time to cook and peel fresh chestnuts, you can find them already prepared in jars. Avoid the canned chestnuts packed in water--they simply don't have the alluring taste and texture of vacuum-packed chestnuts.

This scrumptious stuffing, replete with chestnuts, is so fruity and ravishing, it makes a delicious meal by itself. Enjoy it as a side dish or use it to stuff acorn, butternut, or Delicata squash.

For convenience, prepare the stuffing a day ahead, and warm it for 10 to 15 minutes in a preheated 350-degree F. oven before serving. If you use fresh chestnuts in the shell, cook and peel them in advance also, to bring this recipe together more easily.

Because this tasty stuffing recipe is very copious, there will most likely be leftovers that can easily be covered with aluminum foil and reheated. For a small family gathering, you might want to cut the recipe in half.

Oh, and by the way, this delicious recipe is from my Vegan for the Holidays cookbook!


SAVORY CHESTNUT AND FRUIT STUFFING

Savory Chestnut and Fruit Stuffing

Yield: 12 to 15 hearty servings

    2 cups (480 ml) water
    2/3 cup (160 ml) pearl barley
    1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
    8 cups (2 liters) whole wheat bread cubes
    2 1/2 cups (600 ml) vegetable broth
    3 large sweet onions, chopped
    2 stalks celery, chopped
    2 large apples, cored and chopped
    1 1/4 cups (300 ml) chopped cooked and peeled chestnuts, or pecans, or walnuts
    1 cup (240 ml) golden raisins
    3/4 cup (180 ml) sweetened dried cranberries
    3/4 cup (180 ml) chopped dried apricots (preferably Turkish)
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
    2 tablespoons white miso

    Garnishes
    1/4 bunch parsley
    3 tangerine wedges or Fuyu persimmon slices
    3 fresh cranberries

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. (Gas Mark 4)
  2. Combine the water, barley, and 3/4 teaspoon of the salt in a 2-quart (2 liter) saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the barley is tender and all the water is absorbed.
  3. Meanwhile, place the bread cubes on a 17 1/2 x 12 1/2-inch (44.5 x 31.75 cm) rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until dry. Transfer the bread cubes to an extra-large bowl.
  4. Add the vegetable broth to the bread cubes and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until the bread cubes are broken down into a coarse meal. Set aside.
  5. Combine the onions and celery in a large, deep skillet and add 2 or 3 tablespoons of water. Cook and stir for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the onions are very soft and translucent. Add 1 or more tablespoons of water as needed to cook the vegetables and prevent burning. Transfer the onion mixture to the bowl with the bread cubes.
  6. Add the apples, chestnuts, raisins, cranberries, apricots, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, cooked barley, and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and mix well.
  7. Thin the miso with about 3 tablespoons of water, add it to the stuffing mixture and combine well to distribute it evenly. Adjust the seasonings.
  8. Spoon the stuffing into a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) baking pan, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 to 20 minutes, or until a light crust forms on the top.
  9. So serve, garnish one corner of the pan with the parsley and artfully nestle the tangerine wedges and cranberries.


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Vegetarians in Paradise