Take Heart!
From Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)

Thanksgiving Torte
VegKitchen.com

The torte makes the ideal vegan Thanksgiving dish with its varied textures and savory flavors from the combination of wild rice, mushrooms, nuts, and sage. Served with a robust Mushroom Sauce on the side, this makes a hearty main dish and goes well with all the typical side dishes like cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, chestnut stuffing, and a few veggie combinations.

For dessert, it’s pumpkin and apple pies, of course.

To ease the feast-day preparations, I usually make the Torte the day before, store it in the fridge, and reheat it at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. One little hint, the Torte preparation comes together more quickly if you cook the wild rice before beginning the torte or even the day before. This recipe is reprinted from Zel Allen’s The Nut Gourmet.

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

2/3 cups wild rice
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound red or white rose potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed, and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 (14-ounce) package vegan ground sausage
3/4 pound portobello mushrooms, chopped (about 4 large mushrooms)
1 large onion, diced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon hickory liquid smoke
1 1/4 teaspoons salt or to taste
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced

Mushroom Sauce:

1/2 pound sliced button mushrooms
1/4 soy sauce
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons cornstarch

Torte - Preparation:

  • Lightly oil a 9-inch spring form pan, line the base with parchment paper (for easier cleanup), and set it aside.
  • Combine 2 cups water, wild rice, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Turn the heat down to medium-low and steam for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
  • Drain off excess liquid and set the rice aside.
  • Combine the potato cubes and 1 cup water in a 2-quart saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium, cover, and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potatoes to a medium bowl, mash them, and set them aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Toast the pecans and walnuts in a 10-inch skillet over high heat, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately transfer them to a dish to cool.
  • Combine the vegan sausage, mushrooms, onion, 1/3 cup water, olive oil, poultry seasoning, and pepper in a large, deep skillet.
  • Cook over high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the onion is transparent, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or paddle to break up the sausage chunks.
  • Drain and reserve any excess liquid. Add the salt and hickory liquid smoke to the sausage mixture and mix well.
  • Add the mashed potatoes to the skillet along with the toasted nuts and cooked wild rice.
  • Mix well to combine the ingredients thoroughly. Adjust seasonings if needed.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the prepared springform pan, and attractively arrange the tomato slices over the top, covering most of the surface.
  • Bake uncovered for 1 hour.
  • Allow the torte to stand for 15 to 20 minutes before removing from the pan.
  • Cut into wedges to serve.

Mushroom Sauce - Preparation:

  • Prepare it while the torte is baking.
  • Combine the mushrooms, scant 2 cups water, soy sauce, red wine, and lemon juice in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Turn heat down slightly and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Combine the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl and stir with a spoon to make a runny paste.
  • Add the paste to the bubbling sauce, a little at a time, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, until the sauce has thickened to the desired consistency.
  • Pass around for guests to pour over their wedges of torte.