
I woke early this morning as I always do and felt almost “called” to make something for my neighbor–a retired fella who helps me out with guy things, e.g. changing lightbulbs in security fixtures atop a tall ladder–who had a tooth removed last week and still has a sensitive mouth. The package of stuffing in my pantry called out and these baked Stuffing Cakes were born.
They are seriously simple–as they start with the aforementioned dried stuffing mix–and seriously addicting. The stuffing mix I recommend is vegan and I had to read the back of every package to identify it, so save yourself some time by using it. Although, if you have another favorite brand you know is vegan, by all means, use it. I am always astonished at what manufacturers slip milk into.
Forming this as a cake allows for more exposed surface area and, hence, and more of that ever-so-slightly crispy exterior we all love. The amount of vegan butter may seem like a bit much, but I like this amount not only for flavor, but for aiding in a beautifully lightly browned surface.
Enjoy these cakes as a side or with something piled on top. Be imaginative…and please share your ideas.
They are best eaten as soon as they come out of the oven or reheated for just a few minutes in a 350 degree oven rather than in a microwave, though the latter will do in a pinch.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 to 2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1- 8 ounce package Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing
1 1/2 to 2 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons flax seed meal
4 tablespoons vegan butter, butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat (like Silpat) or parchment paper. Heat olive oil in a large (4-quart) saucepan over medium-high. Add onion, celery, and salt and saute, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Stir in stuffing mix and herbs until well combined and then begin stirring in stock a little at a time. until a moist but firm consistency is achieved. Whisk flas seed into melted butter, drizzle over mixture, and stir to completely incorporate. Divide into 8 equal scoops on prepared baking sheet. Flatten each into a 3/4-inch disk and bake for about 15 minutes or until set and enticingly crispy on the exterior. Serve immediately.

(A sequential installment from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through
I absolutely and without a doubt ….hate kale. I’m sorry but I have really tried! I have tried it three times now and have done the same thing each time: spit it out. I’m sorry but there are no nice words to describe that. I guess a little self discovery is also part of this journey. So my new truth is… I hate kale.
So he opened up the spice cabinet and starting pouring things on it. I watched while he tried it again…and again. He now said it was good but that I just hadn’t put enough flavor on it. So my dog and my son enjoyed the Krispy Kale while I learned a bit about myself today, but I promise not to avoid cooking kale in this challenge. After all I am doing this for the health of my family right? So they can eat it!
(A sequential installment from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through
(A sequential installment from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through
(A sequential installment from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through
as for making great body scrubs. It never occurred to me to cook with it! I didn’t have enough so I went shopping. While I was standing in front of the overwhelming choices of coconut oils (refined, medium heat, virgin, unrefined) I was so tempted to text Betsy for advice. But seriously, did Julie have an option of texting the great Julia Child? Nope. I’m on my own here, so I chose the virgin, unrefined. It just sounded more vegan to me.
(A sequential installment from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through
Ok wait. I don’t own a grill pan so how will I get the desired grill marks?? You got it – 14 degrees outside and I’m wiping snow off the grill and firing it up. I will have grill marks! I lay the pears all out and wait two minutes as directed. No grill marks. Ok fine. Two more minutes. No grill marks. This went on for 14 minutes. Once I saw a faint grill mark appear I placed them on a plate and went inside. Looking at the photo now, I may have been imagining the grill mark but I was freezing!
Yield: 6 servings
(A sequential installment from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through
Ok confession time. What I did not mention yesterday was that when I had cut my cauliflower steaks so beautifully and had them oiled and salted waiting to go into the oven, I turn around and my husband was covering them with “Zip It’, a powerful ghost pepper seasoning I found in Texas. Now my husband will tell you that I “over reacted”. Ok fine. Looking back that is probably a nice way of putting it. Anyway, tonight I separated one out for him to “ruin” as much as he liked.
(Today begins a series of sequential installments from Kim Hastings, my photographer friend and, along with her vet husband, owner of Independence Veterinary Hospital, who decided on her own to cook her way through