Vegan Torta Food

VEGAN MILANESE TORTA WITH BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• For the wet mix loaf: Pour 8 cups of water into a large pot, then drop in mushrooms, liquid aminos, vegan chicken bouillon, salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer, then let cook until mushrooms are soft, about 45 minutes.
• Strain the mushrooms and keep the broth in a separate container. Let broth cool in the freezer for 1 hour.
• For the dry mix loaf: Add vital wheat gluten flour, onion powder, garlic powder and cayenne to a mixing bowl and mix it together. Slowly add the mushroom broth, pouring until the seitan loaf is firmly stretchy. (See Cook's Note.) Roll seitan loaf into a football shape. Wrap in plastic and let it relax.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Drop the seitan loaf in the water water and drop the temperature; simmer, covered, 1 hour. Remove loaf to a plate and refrigerate, 1 hour.
• For the dredge: Place the flour, flaxseed meal, salt, and 4 cups water in a mixing bowl and mix together into a thick batter. Put some panko in another bowl.
• Cut the seitan loaf with a serrated knife into 4 1/2-by-3-inch slices that are 1 1/2 inches thick. Coat seitan patties in dredge, then bread in panko.
• Bring oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer and deep-fry patties for 30 to 45 seconds, or cook in some vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat, 7 minutes per side.
• For the avocado sauce: Blend the flesh of the avocados with the oil, salt and 1 cup water until you have a smooth consistency.
• For assembling the torta: Mash black beans in a bowl.
• Split the rolls to make sandwiches. Add beans to the bottom pieces, then place patties on top. Add cabbage, sliced tomatoes, avocado sauce and vegan mayo.

VEGAN PAVLOVAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• For the aquafaba pavlova: Strain the chickpeas directly into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. There should be about 3/4 cup liquid; reserve the chickpeas for another use. Add the cornstarch and cream of tartar to the liquid and beat on medium-high speed until very foamy. While still beating, add the superfine sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, then continue to beat until the mixture forms stiff and glossy peaks, 4 to 6 minutes. Once the meringue is stiff, beat in the cocoa powder and vanilla until smooth and combined.
• Spoon the meringue in 4 equal mounds on the prepared baking sheet, then use a spoon or small offset spatula to smooth each mount into a 4-inch wide disk. Make a small indent in the center of each mound to hold the toppings. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches between each disk in case they spread when baking.
• Bake until set and no longer glossy, about 2 hours. Turn the oven off and let the pavlovas sit in the closed oven until they have dried out inside, about 1 hour more. (The pavlovas will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.)
• For the whipped coconut cream and strawberries: Meanwhile, open the can of chilled coconut cream and scoop off the solid top into a chilled medium bowl, leaving the liquid behind; reserve the liquid for another use. Beat the solids with an electric mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 3 teaspoons of the confectioners' sugar and beat until the sugar is fully incorporated, about 1 minute more. Cover and chill until ready to use, up to overnight.
• Toss the strawberries with the remaining 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar in a small bowl until fully incorporated. Let the strawberries sit until they're slightly softened, glossy and starting to release some natural juices, about 5 minutes.
• To serve, place the pavlovas on a serving plate. Top each with some whipped coconut cream and macerated berries.