Bangers and Mash

While reaching for a package of plant-based sausage is easy enough, making this yourself is great! Yes, they require some effort, however, the result is highly rewarding. You’ll just need to let them sit overnight in the fridge so plan accordingly. You can make different sizes for hot dogs or breakfast sausages. Shape them longer and skinnier for hotdogs and grill or pan-fry them in BBQ sauce. For breakfast sausages, make small patties or smaller sausage links and panfry them in a light coating of maple syrup.

BANGERS AND MASH [VEGAN]

INGREDIENTS

TO MAKE THE BANGERS:

• 1 cup sliced onion (about 1 onion)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups vital wheat gluten
• 1 cup crumbled firm tofu
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke

TO MAKE THE MASHED POTATOES:

• 3 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/4 cup vegan butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened nondairy milk
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

TO MAKE THE GRAVY:

• 1/4 cup finely minced shallot (about 1 small shallot)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup vegan butter
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 2/3 cup roasted tahini
• 1/2 cup low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable stock, or more if needed
• 2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire

PREPARATION

TO MAKE THE BANGERS AND MASHED POTATOES:

1. To make the bangers, preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes in 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil for 4 to 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent. Lower the heat as necessary to prevent the garlic from burning.
3. Add the onion mixture to a food processor along with the 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 cup of the vital wheat gluten, and the remaining ingredients. Process until mostly combined.
4. Add the remaining 1 cup vital wheat gluten and process until the dough for ms a ball and is mostly combined. Place the dough on a work surface and knead 10 to 15 times until well combined.
5. Cut 8 pieces of aluminum foil approximately 10 by 12 inches. Place a portion of the sausage dough in the center of each piece of foil and form into a log shape approximately 11⁄2 inches wide and 41⁄2 inches long. Wrap tightly, twisting the ends in opposite directions to seal the foil firmly around the dough and shape it into a sausage.
6. Place all the wrapped sausages on a baking sheet spaced an inch apart and bake for 30 minutes until they feel very firm to touch. Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature. They might still be warm, but then refrigerate them at least overnight. Refrigeration is absolutely necessary; otherwise the gluten will not activate and the sausage texture will not be right!
7. Prepare the mashed potatoes just before serving. Bring a large pot of cold water with the potatoes to a boil.
8. Cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and mash in the pot with the remaining ingredients.
9. Just before serving, heat up the gravy in a saucepan and thin out with water or vegetable stock if necessary.
10. To cook the bangers, heat a skillet over medium heat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and pan-fry the sausages for 5 to 6 minutes until browned on all sides.
11. Add about 1/4 cup of the gravy to coat the sausages and cook for 1 more minute.
12. You can add the peas at the end to cook through or steam them separately.
13. Plate the dish with a heaping mound of potatoes, 2 sausages, peas, and more gravy on top. Serve immediately!

TO MAKE THE GRAVY:

1. In a saucepan, sauté the shallot and garlic in the vegan butter for 2 minutes.
2. Add the thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, and celery salt and sauté for 1 to 2 more minutes. Stir in the tahini, tamari, maple syrup, 1/4 cup stock, and Worcestershire and simmer over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add more stock as necessary to thin out the gravy to your desired consistency.
3. Allow the gravy to cool completely before storing or freezing. It will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating the gravy, add more water or vegetable stock to thin it to your desired consistency. The gravy will not become bland from diluting.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/bangers-mash/