Sep 12, 2016

refrigerator dough (aquafaba recipe)

Last week I shared with you the Katsu Banh Mi recipe, with a promise that I would also share the Refrigerator Dough recipe that I used to make the rolls.

Here it is! The aquafaba in this dough makes the finished product extra crisp and crusty - it really is an amazing texture.

This dough really couldn't be any easier; even the water temperature can be cold since it is a refrigerator dough and there is no proofing the yeast***. There is very little kneading and it just basically proofs in your fridge overnight. That really is the only drawback -- it needs to at least proof for 8 hours in the the fridge and cannot be used proofed on the counter as in the traditional sense.

Once it is done proofing, it is a firm dough that needs very little to no flour to roll out.


In addition to making baguettes,


this dough is also great for making pizza - either thin or thick crust. The crust is superbly crispy and chewy, all at the same time.


And it also makes great focaccia bread! Crispy focaccia bread is really amazing and this dough makes an excellent one. Add any topping you want (or none) and you have a great bread to enjoy with a pasta dish, or use it to make my Pizza Burger.



It also makes awesome crusty breadsticks, rolls and fry bread. I recommend you have a batch in the fridge at all times, ...you know, for those unexpected hankerings.

Because this dough makes so many things, I made a video to accompany the recipe, complete with how to make pizza, focaccia, rolls, breadsticks and baguettes.










Refrigerator Dough

Makes rolls, bread sticks, pizza, focaccia, banh mi baguettes, fry bread, etc.

3 cups bread or all-purpose flour (add 2 extra tablespoons if the rolls and baguettes are too soft)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast***
3/4 cup water (cold or warm)
1/4 cup aquafaba** 

1. Dough. Combine the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer; mix well. Combine the water and aquafaba in a measuring cup and add to the flour mixture. Knead the mixture until the dough comes together. Spray a 6-cup bowl with oil spray, add the dough, cover with a plate and chill at least overnight. The dough will last about 5 days in the refrigerator.
2. Remove the dough from the fridge and divide it into the number of pieces recommended below. Only lightly flour the work surface to allow for traction while rolling.
3. Pizza. Preheat oven to 450-degrees F. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Place a piece on a parchment paper and push it out into a circle; the size depends on whether you like thin crust or thick crust. Add toppings and bake for 6 minutes. Remove the paper and continue to bake until crisp about 6 to 8 more minutes.  
4. Focaccia. Preheat oven to 425-degrees F about 15 minutes before the dough is done proofing. Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a 1/8 sheet pan (10x6-inches). Add the dough and push it out to fill the pan. Use your fingers to make deep indentations in the dough, all the way through to the bottom of the pan. Cover and set aside to rise, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with salt, another tablespoon of olive oil and add any toppings, such as thin sliced tomatoes or olives. Bake until crisp, about 20 to 25 minutes.
5. Breadsticks. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F about 15 minutes before the dough is done proofing. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a cigar shape, about 8-inches long. Place on a baking sheet. Cover and set aside to rise, about 90 minutes. Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Brush the breadsticks with the seasoned oil and bake for about 15 to 18 minutes.
6. Baguettes. Preheat oven to 400-degrees F about 15 minutes before the dough is done proofing. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Flatten a piece into a rectangle about 6-inches long. Fold the top thirds down onto itself and fold the bottom third up onto itself. Crimp the edges and roll into a football shape. Set on a baking sheet, cover and proof to almost double. Slash the loaves using a very sharp knife and bake until golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.

** Although aquafaba is best if homemade using the recipe provided in the book, you can use aquafaba from canned chickpeas. Use the organic, low-sodium, canned chickpeas and strain off the liquid into a measuring cup using a fine mesh strainer. Note the amount of liquid you acquired, then add it to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the liquid reduces by 1/3. Cool the aquafaba completely before using.

*** If you are absolutely positive that your yeast is alive, there is no reason to proof it first. If you are unsure, then warm the water to 110-degrees F and add the yeast. Set it aside to bubble for 5 minutes. If it bubbles and foams it is alive and well. Proceed with the recipe. 

© 2016 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.



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Sep 9, 2016

katsu banh mi (aquafaba recipe)


Happy Friday! Let's kick off the weekend with a larger than life sandwich! This sandwich incorporates my two new favorite things: aquafaba and air fryer. My two new favorite toys to play with. 

I present to you: Katsu Banh Mi. Katsu means "cutlet" and this is a tofu cutlet that is battered in panko crumbs and air fried to perfection.




This may seem to be a daunting recipe, but it really is more a matter of organization than anything else. In addition, the aioli, the tofu and the pickles can all be done ahead of time, leaving the cooking and assembling for the last minute.

First and foremost, you need to infuse some flavor into the tofu and the best way to do that is to cook it with the marinade and then let it marinate overnight or up to a week. This process hearkens back to the Breast of Tofu recipe, created by Bryanna Clark Grogan of Vegan Feast Kitchen.



For the pickles, it is just a matter of assembling the brine and pickling the cucumbers until you are ready to serve them.





For the aioli, again, just mix and set aside. This is tonkatsu type sauce/aioli that usually accompanies fried cutlet dishes.




Finally, it is time to bread and fry the tofu. Batter it using an aquafaba-wash (if you have it) mixed with plenty of ginger and garlic. Then use your air fryer to get them golden and crisp. If you don't have an air fryer, just pan fry them in 1/4-inch oil until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.




Once you have all the components ready, it is time to assemble! Top with chiles, herbs, the aioli and the pickles.




And then you wind up with this delicious monster of a sandwich! For the banh mi rolls, using refrigerated dough, use the recipe HERE.









Katsu Banh Mi
Makes about 4 servings

Note: You can make the following up to 3 days ahead: Aioli, Pickles and Tofu.

Aioli:
1/4 cup vegan mayo, vegan sour cream or soft tofu
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons vegan worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons coarse sugar (or 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar)

Pickles:
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon coarse sugar (or 2 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced

Tofu:
1 (14-ounce) package firm tofu, pressed for 1 hour
2 cups water
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage

Katsu:
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
6 tablespoons aquafaba or nondairy milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour or cornstarch
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon finely grated ginger

Sandwich:
4 hoagie or banh mi rolls
Slices of jalapeno
Cilantro or basil

1. Aioli: Combine the mayo, ketchup, worcestershire, and sugar in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside. If using tofu, blend well in a small blender.
2. Pickles: Add the hot water to a small bowl. Stir in the sugar and salt and mix to dissolve. Add the vinegar and cucumbers and stir to mix. Press the cucumbers down into the brine. Set aside for an hour or 3 days.
3. Tofu: Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch slices the long way (so that you have long thin slices of tofu). Heat the water, yeast, parsley, salt, thyme, and sage in a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to boil and add the tofu. Simmer for 10 minutes and set aside for at least an hour or up to 3 days. 
4. Katsu: Combine the panko with salt and black pepper, to taste, in a shallow bowl and set aside. Combine the aquafaba, flour, garlic and ginger in a shallow bowl. Mix well. Dredge the tofu in the liquid mixture and then dredge in the panko. Spray with oil and add to the air fryer (or oven, preheated to 375-degrees F). Set the airfryer to 390 degrees and cook for 15 minutes or until golden and crisp. 
5. Make the sandwiches by toasting the bread, spreading with the tonkatsu aioli, adding a tofu to cover the roll, adding the cucumbers (drained), jalapenos and herbs. Serve. 


© 2016 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.



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