F is for Feast (Gravy and Mashed Potatoes)

Mashed potatoes and gravy is staple of our Christmas dinner.  For several years I've been making vegan miso-mushroom gravy but last December I decided to try something different and made the easy and flavourful vegan gravy spotted at OH SHE GLOWS

MASHED POTATOES

I never bother writing down my recipe for mashed potatoes.  I usually play it by ear and adjust amounts of milk, salt, pepper at the end.  However, a couple of years ago my friend shared a little secret with me:

• when boiling potatoes add several peppercorns, 2-3 bay leaves, and 2 smashed garlic cloves.

• remove all spices and garlic before mashing potatoes.  

• Add milk or cream while mashing to achieve desired consistency.  And do not forget to add a little bit of butter for extra creaminess.

• I also added 1 bulb of roasted garlic to my Christmas mashed potatoes last year it added rich, roasted flavour.

VEGAN GRAVY

(Adapted from Eat, Drink, & Be Vegan)

What you need

1 cup vegetable broth

¼ cup nutritional yeast

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 tbsp tamari

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder

2 tbsp tahini

1 ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 ½ tbsp blackstrap molasses

½ tsp agave nectar

2 tbsp olive oil

What to do

• Combine and puree all ingredients in a blender or food processor.

• Pour gravy in a small pot and heat and bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low, cook stirring frequently until thicken.

• Taste and adjust seasoning.

MISO-MUSHROOM GRAVY
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What you need

2 tbsp olive oil

4-5 green onions (scallions), minced

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

8 oz button mushroom, sliced (you can use a little bit of shiitake mushrooms for extra flavour)

3 tbsp flour

1 cup vegetable broth (non salted)

3 tbsp miso paste

2 tbsp fresh thyme

What to do

• Heat oil in a sauce pan.  Cook garlic and green onions, until fragrant.  Add mushrooms and cook 3-4 minutes.

• Sprinkle mushroom mix with flour and mix thoroughly.  Slowly add broth and continue mixing.

• Add thyme, bring gravy to boil, reduce heat and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until thicken.  Remove from heat and stir in miso paste (I like to dilute miso in 2 tablespoons of hot water before adding it to the gravy).  Taste and adjust seasoning.