Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Caramelized Onions and Sage Crumb Topping

Last week's thread made me crave pumpkin, so this is a great vegan recipe that I made last night (and will have leftovers tonight):




Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Caramelized Onions and Sage Crumb Topping



Ingredients:



3/4 lb. uncooked ziti or penne pasta (I used whole wheat)
2 onions, sliced very thinly (I forgot onions at the grocery store--oops! It was good without so if you don't like onions omit)
3 tbs olive oil
1 recipe Cashew Ricotta (recipe to follow)
1 tbs brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
white pepper and cayenne
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 cup vegetable broth

Sage Bread Crumbs

2 1/2 cups bread crumbs, preferable fresh and homemade (made from about half a baguette or 4 dinner rolls)

1/3 cup walnut pieces, chopped in food processor until resembling coarse crumbs

1/4 cup nonhydrogenated vegan margarine

2 tsp dried, rubbed sage

1 tsp dried oregano leaves

1/2 tsp ground paprika

salt and freshly ground black pepper



PREHEAT the oven to 375. Lightly greatse a 9X11 baking pan



Prepare ziti according to package directions, set aside.



While the pasta is cooking make the caramelized onion:



Preheat a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Saute the onions in oil until some onion bits are very brown and caramelized, 12-15 minutes. Set aside.



Place the Cashew Ricotta (recipe to follow) in a large bowl and fold in teh pumpkin puree, brown sugar, nutmet, white pepper, cayenne, and vegetable broth and mix. Add the cooked ziti and caramelized onions, stirring to coat the pasta. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and pres lightly with a rubber spatula to level it.



Make the sage bread crumbs:



Melt the margarine in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Stir int eh bread crumbs, walnuts, dried erbs, and paprika, and season with salt and pepper. Stir constantly until the mixture is lightly coated, 3 to 4 min. Remove from the heat and sprinkle evenly over the ziti.



Bake for 28-30 minutes, until the top of the ziti is golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.



Cashew Ricotta Recipe



This can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or you can incorporate this step into the recipe. This is also great as a stand-in for ricotta in lasagna recipes if you are trying to avoid dairy.



1/2 cup raw cashew pieces



1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (I used lime because I didn't have a lemon)



2 tbs. olive oil



2 cloves garlic



1 pd. firm tofu, drained and crumbled



1 1/2 tsp. dried basil



1 1/2 tsp salt



In a food processor, blend together the cashews, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic until a thick creamy paste forms. Add the crumbled tofu to the food processor, working in two or more batches if necessary, until the mixture is thick and well blended. Blend in the basil and salt.







I love this dish! So delish!



ETA: This recipe comes from a cookbook called "Veganomicon The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook"

 
 
[from Maryea]

Caramelized Walnut and Pear Salad

Made a salad and sandwiches last night. The salad was so good I could have rolled in it.




It kind of grossed me out to read breakfast recipes and then savory dinner recipes, but I couldn't refrain from sharing. This little concoction is based on a salad I ate at the Nordstrom Cafe. Oh, and I'm not usually a fan of fruit on my salad either, so even if you don't like it, the salad is worth a shot.



Caramelized Walnut and Pear Salad

Salad greens (I used spring mix)
1 C caramelized walnuts (I used pecans, recipe to follow)
1 C crumbled bleu cheese (I used gorgonzola)
2 pears, sliced
1/2 cup vinaigrette (recipe to follow)
Toss salad, walnuts, cheese and pears with the dressing.

Caramelized Walnuts
1/2 pound walnuts or pecans (about 2 cups)
1 egg white
1/3 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Mix walnuts, egg whites, and sugar together in bowl. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool, then break apart if necessary.


Vinaigrette

1 T chopped shallots
1 T Dijon mustard
2 T sugar
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup of champagne wine or white wine vinegar (champagne is better, but white is fine)
1 1/2 cups of salad oil
3/4 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp pepper



Whisk all ingredients together. Makes 2 cups. I half the recipe and have dressing for salads for dinner for the family and a few days for lunch for me.

[from Raegan]

Holiday Pecans

4 cups crispy pecan halves (cook at 350 for 15-20 minutes)
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 T vanilla


Beat egg whites with salt until stiff. Slowly beat in syrup and vanilla. Fold into pecans until coated. Spread on 2 buttered baking pans and place in warm oven (no more than 150 degrees) for several hours until egg white coating hardens. Store in air-tight container.

[from Raegan]