Thursday, March 1, 2012

Vegetarian Savory Cobbler

INGREDIENTS

For the biscuits:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp sea salt
5 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup cream

For the collards:
2 Tbsp butter
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
3-4 pounds collard greens, thick stems removed and sliced into 1-inch ribbons
1/2 cup milk or cream
2 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water
One package smoked tofu, sliced lengthwise in three equal pieces and then sliced about 1/2-inch thick
Sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and red pepper flakes, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Make the biscuit dough: In a food processor, pulse flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, honey, and butter until the butter is in pieces about the size of small peas. Add the cream and pulse until it comes together in a dough. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough a few times until completely consistent and smooth. Roll the dough out to about 1-inch thick. Slice into square biscuits or use a round cookie cutter to make the biscuits. Place them on parchment paper on a baking sheet and refrigerate.

In a big, thick-bottomed pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic and saute, stirring constantly, until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 8 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil.

Add the collard greens to the boiling broth in batches, stirring after each addition. Lower the heat and simmer for about thirty minutes, until the mixture is a bit reduced and collards are very tender.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir the milk or cream and the cornstarch slurry into the collard mixture, then allow it to simmer uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken up. Add the sliced tofu and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

Pour the entire mixture into a large glass or ceramic baking dish. Lay the biscuits on top, with the corners overlapping if possible. Bake the dish in the oven for 40 to 50 minutes, until biscuits are deep golden brown and the collard mixture is bubbly.

Let the cobbler rest for 10 to 20 minutes before serving it up in warm bowls.

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