Whole Wheat Vegan Challah

Our homemade cinnamon raisin vegan challah. Time to meet your maker!

Makes one loaf
Time: 8 to 9 hours

I have many fond memories of challah from my childhood. We used to get a loaf every Friday for Shabbat and I would drool over it in the car. Sometimes the loaf didn't make it home in tact. We would turn leftovers into Saturday morning's breakfast of champions: challah french toast.

I was amped to make a vegan version of this delicious wonder bread for Rosh Hashanah. The finished product was a little denser than traditional challah, but just as delicious. I added raisins and cinnamon to make a sweet version for Rosh Hashanah, but you can omit them if you prefer a traditional flavor.

Also, we made a circular challah, and I'll include a video below on how to roll the challah. You can also make a braided version.

Make sure to read through the recipe before beginning. You can knead the dough by hand, but a stand mixer definitely makes it easier. Happy baking!

Ingredients: 

1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (water should be around 110° Fahrenheit)
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
4 tablespoons ground flaxseeds 
6 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons canola oil (plus more for brushing)
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups bread flour
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, proof the yeast by mixing it with the warm water (follow package directions to proof the yeast properly). Allow to sit for 10 minutes. If the mixture bubbles or doubles in size, the yeast is active. If the yeast is not active, start the process over again. The yeast needs to be active for the dough to rise.

Whisk together the flaxseeds and 6 tablespoons of water until the mixture thickens. Add the mixture to the yeast, along with the pastry flour, canola oil, sugar and sea salt. Mix on medium-low speed in a stand mixer until blended.

Add the whole wheat and bread flour in 1/2 cup at a time, allowing each 1/2 cup to mix in before adding more. Knead on medium-low speed in a mixer for about 5 minutes, or about 10 minutes if kneading by hand. The dough should be elastic and smooth. Recipe Note: I added in about 1/4 cup water here to make the dough smoother.

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.

If braiding the challah, divide the dough into three balls and let them rest, covered with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, for about 15 minutes. If making a circular challah, just allow the main dough to rest for 15 minutes.

Here's a few videos on how to roll the challah

Once the loaf is formed, brush the top of the loaf with some vegetable 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 for another hour. It should almost double in size.

Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Brush the loaf again with oil, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 30 minutes.

Cool the loaf on a rack before cutting in.

Vegan chili cheese nachos

Serves: 2
Time: 45 minutes

This chili cheese nacho recipe is perfect for a party and noshing. I've served these for friends a few times and they always disappear quickly. Increase the ingredients if you're serving a larger group.

Ingredients
1 can chili beans, sauce saved
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 sweet or yellow onion, rough chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon Smokin' Texas Gourmet Chili Seasoning, or more to taste
1 teaspoon Smokin' Texas Gourmet Smoked Salt, or more to taste
1 fresh jalapeno, sliced (optional)
Tortilla chips
1 package Daiya cheddar cheese, or your favorite vegan shredded cheese
Non-stick cooking spray
Smokin' Texas Gourmet Texas Twister hot sauce (optional)

Directions
Add the canola oil to a small frying pan and set to medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and sweat until the onion is translucent, about 6 to 7 minutes.

In a medium sized soup pot, add the drained black beans, can of chili beans, onion and Smokin' Texas Gourmet Chili Seasoning and Smoked Salt. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to heat to a low simmer. Simmer the chili for approximately 30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.

Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and arrange tortilla chips over the sheet. Sprinkle with Daiya cheese (as much as you would like) and broil tortilla chips until cheese is melted.

Sprinkle toasted chips with chili. Serve with sliced jalapeno and Smokin' Texas Gourmet Texas Twister hot sauce.

Lentil soup with kale

Serves: 6
Time: 1 hour

With its rich spices, this lentil soup recipe is perfect for fall, snuggling up in front of a fire and a warm belly.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes
1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed
2 quarts vegetables broth
1/2 package kale
2 teaspoons Smokin' Texas Gourmet Smoked Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons Smokin' Texas Gourmet Holiday Spice

Directions

Place the olive oil into a large soup pot and set to medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, carrot, celery and salt and sweat until the onions are translucent, about 6 to 7 minutes. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, and Smokin' Texas Gourmet Holiday Spice and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 35 to 40 minutes.

Rinse the kale, remove center ribs and chop the large leafs. Steam the kale for approximately 5 minutes, or until done.

Using a stick blender, puree the soup to your preferred consistency. Dish soup, add steamed kale and serve immediately.

Sicilian Collard Greens with Pine Nuts and Raisins

Serves: 2 or 3
Time: 20 minutes

I've always been fond of collard greens, but this recipe takes my love to a new level. Its one of my favorite dishes from Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet and is a great way to introduce people to this extremely healthy green.

Ingredients
1 bunch collard greens
2 tablespoons pine nuts
3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions
Use a sharp knife to cut out the central rib and stem from each collard leaf. Rinse the leaves in a sink of cool water, lifting them into a colander to drain a bit (you want some water to remain on the leaves).

Toast the pine nuts over medium heat in a dry skillet for about 5 minutes or until golden. Shake the pan often to keep the pine nuts from burning. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Place the garlic and oil in a large skillet, and sauté over medium heat for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant. Add the damp collards and stir, then cover the pan and cook for 2 minutes longer. Add the raisins and pine nuts, and stir. Cook and cover for 2 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, cover, and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Note: The stems of the collard greens are full of minerals, so if you want to use them, chop them into 1-inch pieces and cook for a couple of minutes before adding the collard greens.