Vegetarian Yontif Recipe

My family doesn't eat meat, as it would diminish the joy of our holiday to cause suffering.

This is our favorite all-around holiday recipe.  In fact, you can substitute matzo meal for flour and use it on Pesach!

Mushroom Gougeres

Choux pastry:

1/2 c. flour                       

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 c. shredded cheese (sweet or sharp--they all work)

6 T butter                         

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 c.   Water

Filling:

1 small onion (or leek)                

1 grated (or diced) carrot

1 cup sliced mushrooms (white or crimini)

3 T butter                                 

1 tsp seasoning: either Italian (basil, oregano) or curry powder

2 T flour                                   

1/4 c. milk

2 T chopped fresh parsley           

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

2 T sliced or slivered almonds

1. Preheat oven to 400.  Grease shallow ovenproof dish about 9” long.

2. To make the pastry, put flour and salt into a cup measure.  Heat the butter and water till the butter melts (but don’t boil it).  Shoot the flour into the pan all at once.

3. With a wooden spoon, beat the mixture rapidly until the lumps become smooth and the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan.  Cool 10 minutes. (You may make filling while waiting.)

4. Beat the eggs gradually into the mixture until the dough has a soft, but still stiff consistency. 

5. Stir in the cheese, then put the (very soft) dough in the baking dish.

6. TO MAKE THE FILLING: Sauté the onion, carrot and mushrooms in the butter for five minutes. Stir in the spices, then the flour.

7. Gradually stir in the milk and heat until thickened.  Mix in parsley, season with salt and pepper, and then pour into the center of the pastry ring. (You can make a bit of a hole in the middle with a wooden spoon or your spatula and pour it right in before it closes up.)

Bake 35-40 min. until risen and golden brown, sprinkling on the almonds for the last five minutes or so.  Serve at once if you can (while it's puffy), or chill and serve at room temp later.

Happy, healthy new year!