Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Vegan Pastry Dough

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This is a recipe that I've wanted to veganize for a while, Dearies. The original vegetarian recipe called "Enchanting Dough" was just so amazing and easy that I felt I just had to make this for my vegan lovelies.

It took me a while to get to this recipe on 'my list' of things to make that come from my own mind as well as other blogs and talented elves. My tardiness was mostly due to the fact that I'm trying to use less A.P. flour, but the truth of the matter is that 'the list' is a force to be dealt with, Dearies. I know you all have one-a force to be dealt with it is (smile)!

Here's the recipe:

*2 Cups All Purpose Flour
*Dash of Salt
*1 Cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread (2 Sticks/16 Tbsp.)
*1/2 Cup WildWood Organic Soy Yogurt
*2 Tbsp. Cold Water

In a bowl, stir together flour and salt. Using a pasty blender or your hands, cut cold earth balance into flour until your mixture looks like a course meal with some pea sized pieces. Mix the water into the yogurt and add to the flour mixture. Mix gently till you get a nice dough.

Form the dough into a ball. On a floury surface, roll into an 18 by 9 inch rectangle. Take the ends and fold the dough crosswise into thirds forming a 6 by 9 inch rectangle. *Fold the dough into thirds again from the other side (to your right, so that you have a small square or even ball like shape). Wrap dough and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
*Folding dough into thirds simply means pulling one end towards the center and then pulling the other end's two corners towards the center and on top of the first fold. This creates layers, which in turn traps air and creates flakiness...

For pockets, cut the dough in half after chilling. Roll each half on a floured surface into a 12 inch square. Cut into 6 squares (or use a cutter for circles) and put about 3/4 tbsp. of filling in the center of each . Pull the ends toward each other to form whatever shape you like. Crimp the edges together with the end of a fork and brush with soy milk.

Bake on parchment paper at 390 for 10 minutes. Turn the heat down to 375 and bake for 12-15 more minutes or until golden.















p.s. We stuffed our pockets with pinto beans & Galaxy Jalapeno Jack Cheese and dipped them in the above salsa. Yum!

48 comments:

  1. I certainly know how that list goes...I have a million recipes I want to try. Your pockets look delish!

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  2. Scrumptious! Love the pockets.

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  3. Very nice! I love using Earth Balance in recipes. I also love your stuffing ingredients.

    Well, I've decided to go vegetarian...again. Not completely vegan. I feel too stressed when I try that because I worry that I will unknowingly buy something that isn't completely vegan. You know what I mean. Plus, I really like honey! ;)

    I'm still going to fix the rest of my family meat if they want it and I'll just fix my part without. It shouldn't be too hard...right?

    Hope your week is plugging along nicely.

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  4. No doubt that I would find these stuffed pockets absolutely delicious.

    Cheers.
    Velva

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  5. Hello Deary,

    So I'm finally dabbing into the world of baking. Yup, I've been telling everyone in the blogosphere who cares that I Valerie taught me to make my very first bread (the kneading type). Once I get comfortable with bread, pastry is something I'd like to learn to perfect as well. I find it so much fun to work with dough. Maybe I should practice on K's playdough too...teehee.

    I'ma liking your filling. I'm not a huge fan of cheese by itself, but I cannot resist it when it's hot, melted and ooey gooey. Plus, paired with hot flaky pastry is something heavenly to me. Quite the interesting salsa you've got there. I'm trying to figure out what it is. Looks yummy though. I'm glad you were able to veganize your pastry to the way you like it. Thanks for dropping by to say happy new year, Stella. Happy new year to you as well since you're doing CNY ;-) We're not celebrating it this year as my parents, in-law, and brother are all out of town this year. That's ok, I can gawk at everybody else's food in the blogosphere. Hope you and Cauldron Boy have a great rest of the week!

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  6. Ah yes, those lists can sometimes me a reminding thorn in one's side if ignored too long. :-)

    This pastry dough sounds delicious. Yogurt has a way of making everything so moist and tender! You could turn just about anyone into a vegan.

    It's great to see you again, Stella!

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  7. These look wonderful, and a vegan version...nice!
    Love the sound of the filling as well, and that salsa looks way tempting my sweet :)

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  8. These look so dainty and tasty! You make me want to go vegan now!

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  9. I know I'm gonna sound like a freak saying this but earlier today i was thinking about your signature photos w/ the swirled pink ribbon, so it's so nice to come home and see a new post from you! ;]
    These little pocket pies look delicious! Love the cheesy filling you used.

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  10. Looks pretty flaky Stella!
    And you kinda left the climax in the end... Pinto beans and cheese! And Salsa! OOHHH!! :) Sounds like Sunday brunch

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  11. I love Pastry Dough. It looks very delicious.
    I'll copy and make it.

    Kiss,
    Talita Cristina

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  12. What fun, Stella! I'm always amazed at your ability create healthier version of popular foods. Keep it up, honey!

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  13. These little pockets look so tender made with your own vegan pastry dough. I'm thinking about filling them with something decadent like chocolate and peanut butter, oh I should really focus on healthy eating, maybe for a few minutes anyway;-) Hope you're having a nice week Stella;-) Interesting about starting a Meyer lemon tree from a seed sort of like really baking from scratch! I'm interested if you get any lemons??

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  14. Oh yeah.., I know about 'the list'., isn't it funny how 'the list' just gets longer & yet finding inspiration for dinner time each night sometimes is a huge challenge? Perplexing thoughts like that do my head in :)
    These little pockets look fun and the dipping sauce.., YummO

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  15. Kudos to you, Stella, for working through a recipe to make it vegan from vegetarian. Of course, there are some pretty foreign ingredients in there to me, but I can see how lovely the pastry turned out, and it had to be delicious, or you would not be sharing it here. You know how tough we'd all be on you if we found it tasteless!
    :)
    And, don't even talk about "the list". It is a goal of mine to work on that list this year. So far... not even from the posts I read, I have done hummus (waiting to be done for years) and a couple of others. I did do Faith's Smoky Chili in January. I did Laura Caulder's Olive Oil Cake this month and translated the recipe to a heart friendly one... and, I will continue to take my baby steps through that lustful pile or recipes I read that I am DYING to make - and hope some get made before I do!
    :)
    Valerie

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  16. Lovely pockets!
    I'm getting more and more excited with your recipes. They are interesting and healthy. When my friend asked me to design a dinner menu for her since she's on diet. Your name popped in my head Stella!

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  17. A terrific dough recipe, I've been on a diet here so this is definitely a good one for me :) Love those pockets, yum!

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  18. I'm impressed with how flaky that dough is. Those pockets must be so comforting with the soft beans contrasted with the airy dough. This looks so delicious!

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  19. Mmmm..pinto bean and cheese pockets sound amazing! I need to make these! :)

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  20. This looks like a great dough recipe. the bean and cheese pockets looks so appetizing!

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  21. What a great recipe Stella! Thanks for sharing :-)

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  22. Stella, those pastry pockets look so crispy. You even used the soya milk to brush the surface. :-)) I am saving the recipe...alas...how many recipes have I been saving and bookmarking to try?

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  23. I love your dough recipe and how you fold the dough to trap air. I am sure they must be super flaky. Nice filling too!

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  24. I've been particularly bad lately, making dough with butter and duckfat... good to know there are other ways to go... what a lovely use you made of the dough. I wish I could be whole grain everything, but it just doesn't work, does it? 100% whole wheat pastry is not very good.... at least none I have made are... maybe there's a secret I don't know????

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  25. Dear Steall a- You are my queen of dough - I am always floored by your ability to take regular dough stuff and turn them into vegan and vegetarian culinary masterpieces.

    Love it! The filling ingredients are so unique and the the pastry looks oh so flaky.

    Miss ya and hope you are well :)

    chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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  26. my bookmarked list is so long i need almost a whole year to cook them all :)))
    your pockets look and sound delicious. love the filling. thanks for sharing Stella
    have a wonderful weekend

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  27. You know, I wouldn't have thought that making really good vegan pastry dough was possible but you have proved me wrong! Looks great.

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  28. These look so good. They remind me of empanadas. Never thought of using yogurt in the dough. Great idea!

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  29. I love this versatile and vegan dough. It looks just as good as dairy-containing ones and must be great for everything from these hand pies to pot pies to breakfast strudels.

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  30. hi Stella
    those pastry pockets look amazing! Pinto beans and jalepeno jack cheese sound like a perfect filing for those little pastries!
    Cheers
    Dennis

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  31. Well Stella, I'm not vegan, but this dough sure looks delish! I've never made anything with Earth Balance but it sure looks like it works well in this recipe. Your pockets look fabulous...love the filling!

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  32. Can the pastry dough have any kind of filling in there? ;p

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  33. No matter what kind they are, your pastries are always amazing Stella! I can't get mine to be so flaky unless I do it the old fashioned way - with tons of butter and folding, folding, folding *sigh*

    Your pastry must be really magical!

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  34. My sweet Cam (though I call my daughter "Cami")
    What is this competition to my Argentinian empanadas??!! ;D
    Your "empanadas" look great and I congratulate you for the dough..it is not an easy task!! I don't know this Earth balance, and I wouldn't know how to look for it in Paris or in Buenos Aires...
    Besitos,
    Cristina

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  35. My list of things to make include...items that are edible and that Ali and Maya don't turn their noses up at. You are amazing for having this wonderful recipe on your "to-do" list.

    It looks delicious Stella! I love that it's vegan. Brilliant!

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  36. Oh! For some reason I thought that was going in a dessert direction! It could, stuffed with fruit and drizzled with chocolate, I bet :-)

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  37. Oh Stella, these look delicious! And you know what? These would be fun to make for my daughter for her lunch. Fun, fun! I agree with you - the list rules my life!!

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  38. hey stella, how are you I feel like I have been gone foreva!! loving your pockets and the filling oh a meal after my own heart..beans, jalapeno, cheese and salsa!! yummy stella another winner

    sweetlife

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  39. Yoghurt in pastry! That must be so good. I would love to try that. These little pasties must be really good for afternoon tea.

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  40. Stella! I haven't visited your blog in ever so long, I apologize. I can hardly believe this is vegan, it looks so buttery and flakey. You nailed it, I think!

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  41. I am always looking for vegan recipes and this one looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it.

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  42. Genius!
    I love gooey cheese and salsa. Right up my alley, as usual. xoox

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  43. Stella, although I am not vegan, these little pastries look delicious, love the idea of beans and cheese filing :-)

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  44. Stella, thse are a true success! Looks like empanadas that I love. But your filling is really interesting. I am not a vegan, but am always willing to try something new.
    Rita

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  45. What a great pastry dough, I've also used yogurt in some of my pastry dough. You've given me a craving for your bean stuffed pastries with green salsa. They do look delicious. Happy Valentine's Day!

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  46. LOVE. YOUR. BLOG. Dennis sent me here for an alternative recipe for dough that doesnt use eggs. Yours is nice, but we dont get vegan butter or soy yoghurt here :( But I'm thinking soy milk and olive oil are worthy substitutes.

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  47. One more recipe that I want to try, along with your V-day pie... these little pockets are very tempting... Gosh, why am I always thinking about food :-(
    Wishing you a lovely day!

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  48. love the vegan empanadas... i need to share this with a friend who's gone the vegan route for the past month and is always looking for new things to cook. and the salsa is talking to me! nice to find your blog.

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Please do comment, Dearies!