Foodiva's Kitchen: International Incident Party: Lentil Hot Dog In Spiral Puff Shell

Sunday, January 16, 2011

International Incident Party: Lentil Hot Dog In Spiral Puff Shell


If I had my first hotdog as a child, I really can't recall the particular moment when. It wasn't because I was too young when it happened. More likely it was because my first hotdog experience took place when I was already in my teens, and probably over in some foreign land somewhere. Suffice to say, hotdogs didn't feature much in our diet in those days.

In the much processed world of today, that has certainly changed. Sausages, frankfurters, hotdogs, wieners... whatever you may want to call them, have become a staple in our freezers.

For this first International Incident Party of 2011, the theme is 'Hotdog'. It's fun and can be interpreted in many ways, as dessert or a savory snack. I originally thought of making a sweet a la Hotdog cupcake, but in the end, gave in to the stronger urge for something savory. My first foray into the creation of sausage-like things would begin with something vegetarian. Enter the Lentil Hotdog...


It wasn't a particularly difficult choice, as I'd been wanting to make something with the yellow lentil flour sitting in my pantry anyway. I wasn't quite sure how my recipe would pan out, whether the hotdogs would end up soft, soggy or worse, crumbly. As it turned out, the various spices worked wonders to give me a couple of flavorful hotdogs, and the lentils made them taste almost falafel-like but without any of the graininess. Without any casing, I wanted something that would hold the ingredients together once cooked and tapioca flour did the trick, it provided me a more 'cohesive' hotdog.

Hot Dawg... this is lentil!

So many ideas floated around in my head on the type of bun to serve this veggie hotdog in. Eventually, I settled on something closer to home... the currypuff (it's the Asian version of empanada). Why not encase the hotdogs in a spiral currypuff shell (minus the curry)? I had made some chocolate currypuffs before, and the spiral shells were really fun to make. Quite addictive too, if you succumb to the visual allure of the spirals. These lentil hotdogs with the ends sticking out of the spiral shells looked like a tropical version of a regular hotdog. They go very well with a sweet and spicy chilli-garlic dip.




Thank you to Penny of Jeroxie.com for being our wonderful IIP host once again. I wonder what the rest of the party goers made? I'm going to check them out and you really should too!



Lentil Hotdogs in Spiral Puff Shells

Lentil hotdogs
Makes about 8 hotdogs
Ingredients:
5 tablespoons ground almonds
250g/9 ounces firm (not silken) tofu
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons mild vegetable oil (I used grapeseed oil)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika (or 1/4 tsp chilli powder)
1-1/2 teaspoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon fresh garlic, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground fenugreek (or mace)
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup + 1 tablespoon lentil flour
1 teaspoon tapioca flour (or arrowroot flour)

Method:
1. Crumble the tofu into the blender. Measure the soy sauce into a measuring cup and add enough water so the mixture equals 100ml (6-1/2 tablespoons). Add this to the blender.
2. Add remaining ingredients to blender except lentil and tapioca flours. Blenderise until completely smooth. Empty into a large mixing bowl.
3. Add the 2 flours and mix until evenly combined. You’ll have a soft dough.
4. Divide dough into eight pieces (depending on what sized hotdog you want). Roll each piece into a hotdog shape and ensure you don’t roll them longer than your steamer! Wrap each hotdog in parchment paper and then in aluminium foil. Lightly twist the ends together.
5. Bring water to boil in a pot that has a steamer insert. Arrange wrapped hotdogs in your steamer insert with the seam side down. There is less chance of the hotdogs bursting the foil if they are packed tightly in the steamer. You can arrange four dogs on the bottom, then another four at a 90 degree angle on top.
6. Steam for 45 minutes over gently simmering water. If you’ve arranged your hotdogs in two layers, switch their positions halfway through the cooking time (bottom ones on top and top ones on bottom). Turn heat off and let cool.
7. To cook, simmer unwrapped dogs in water for 5 minutes. These can be frozen for future use (leave them wrapped in parchment/foil, and place in a plastic freezer bag).

Spiral Puff Shells
Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Extra oil, for frying

Method:
1. Put 2 cups of flour in one big bowl and 1 cup of flour in a small bowl. Water dough: In the big one add 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1 tbs sugar, 1 tsp salt. Mix thoroughly then add about less than 1/2 cup of cold water little at a time to make a smooth but firm dough. Oil dough: In the small bowl, gradually add up to 1/3 cups of vegetable oil and mix to make a dough soft enough to spread.
2. Roll the big water dough into about a foot rectangle and place the smaller oil dough on the top upper half of the bigger dough. Make sure there is a 1/2 inch border along the 3 edges of the oil dough.
3. Fold water dough in half covering the oil dough completely and seal it, making sure no air is trapped inside.
4. Shape the dough by pressing and rolling a rectangle (approx 30 x 10 inch). The dough should be thin enough to roll into a log.
5. When rolled, slice off the uneven tip of the log and slice the next one into about 1 inch thick. Flatten the spiral dough with a rolling pin and carefully roll it into a round shape. Wrap the spiral shell over the hotdog, pinching the edges flatly, then crimping to close. Leave the two ends where the hotdog stick out open.
6. Deep fry in vegetable oil until golden. Place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil and serve.

60 comments:

Sandra said...

Very interesting! I think that I never saw this kind of recipe! Great to know, bty awesome photos!:)

leaf (the indolent cook) said...

This is like a curry puff and sausage roll combined! Looks good!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Sandra. Well it's the first time I've made a currypuff hot dog too!

Unknown said...

Leaf, you're absolutely right... that was the idea behind this shenanigan! The flaky spiral puffs complemented the lentil dogs well.

msihua said...

Oh wow... That spiral puff pastry looks soooo creative... I couldn't do it.. but it does look like the curry puff shells you get in Malaysia... beautifuL!

Unknown said...

I Hua, never say never... You can wrap these spiral shells around anything and they'd look and taste great!

Satya said...

spiral puffs looks so handy and delicious filling...as a vegetarian you have introduced me to a wonderfull concept : ) I am sure going going to try it out soon


Satya

Super Yummy Recipes

Savoring Italy said...

This is my kind of a hot dog! I would have never dreamed of this combo! The spiral puff pastry looks gorgeous! Beautiful, as always.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Satya. I'm not a vegetarian by any means but I tried my best to keep this snack suitable for vegetarians. It tasted awesome too, I was surprised!

Unknown said...

Lora, you can try making the lentil hot dogs with other types of flour too! Perhaps chickpea or polenta would taste great too? And you could add herbs intead of dried spices...The possibilities are endless!

Cherrie Pie said...

That spiral puff shell looks so good. YUM

Unknown said...

Thank you, mon Cherrie!

penny aka jeroxie said...

I have bookmarked this. So interesting and I just need to taste it for myself.

Carolyn said...

You always come up with most interesting combinations! It's like a vegan version of my husband's favourite food...pigs in a blanket!

Tasty Trix said...

I am so glad to see a vegetarian hot dog! I like that it's sort of falafel-like. I too wanted to make savory but could NOT stand the thought of squishing meat into casings. *Shudder* Would you believe I have never had a curry puff but now I am on a mission!

Shelby said...

This looks pretty awesome and would definitely be a food to crave. I'm not a big "real" hotdog fan of any kind.

something_good said...

super idea to have a veggie hot dog! looks really nice and ... authentic :))

Evan Thomas said...

These look and sound delicious! Great recipe. I never thought to use lentils that way.

Unknown said...

Hey Penny! It's really great that you're bookmarking this. It can only mean that your inner baker is wanting to try out new things!

Unknown said...

Carolyn, you're right...they DO look like pigs in a blanket, but without the meat and the blanket's all spiral-like!

Unknown said...

Trix, first of all, I have never squished meat into casings and secondly, where I live, I know of no place that even sells casings! So that was out and it's probably a blessing in disguise because then I had to think outside the box. Oh, I also predict 2011 will be the last year you'll be a curry puff virgin! ;-)

Kate @ Diethood.com said...

Wow, very interesting take on the hot dog! I was just saying last night that I haven't had a hot dog in 15 years and that I don't plan on having one any time soon... but then I see this! I'd love to have it especially with that puff pastry... such a yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Kate, 15 years is an awfully long time, but hopefully these vegetarian hot dogs will help you change your mind! They taste good even without the puff pastry shell too. :-)

Unknown said...

Maya, it's a beauty, the most beautiful 'hot dog' I've ever seen. I love the way you seal the puff shells. Oh yum.

Unknown said...

Michael, the sealing part was the hardest thing to do while the eating part was the easiest! ;-)

Heather S-G said...

Fabulous idea, I could go for one of these right this minute! I love the chili dipping sauce, too...oh my, I'm so hungry!

Unknown said...

Unique version, love the Indian spices too.

Shirley said...

Very creative!

whatsfordinneracrossstatelines said...

I wonder if I could pass these off in my house! My husband loves hot dogs, but not me. I love the puff on the outside I've never had one of those. I think you did a fabulous job with these. Hope you have a great weekend!
-Gina-

Mardi Michels said...

Oh my it's like one of my childhood favourites, sausage rolls, made healthy. I LOVE this!

Magic of Spice said...

Just brilliant! And they are vegetarian :) Plus they look fantastic...

Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen said...

This is genius and looks incredible! Why don't you have your own cooking show? ;)

Unknown said...

Heather, Agape & Shirley, thank you!

Gina, your husband wouldn't even have to know these hotdogs are meatless now, would he? ;-)

Mardi, you're right, now that I think about it, they DO look like sausage rolls! Maybe it was my subconcious surfacing... haha.

art is in the kitchen said...

Maya, i am just in awe at your creativity! I am inclined to believe you have a mind of an alchemist, concerning food of course! just genius! Lentil hotdog in spiral puff, a first! Ciao Diva!

Unknown said...

Alisha, yes I can't believe that these are completely vegetarian myself. The hotdogs looked so meaty!

Nourhan, you're too kind, girl! I'm slowly working towards that! Offers, anyone? Haha...

Nancy said...

Now this is a hot dog I would never turn away! I love it,healthy unprocessed and all vegetarian- amazing. They look so good, bravo Maya!

Torviewtoronto said...

looks delicious lovely pictures

Unknown said...

Arthur, the spiral shells were inspired by you, you know. As for the lentil hotdogs, that must've come from the scientist in me somewhere!

Unknown said...

Nancy, if you can overlook the fact they were deep fried, then yes, these dogs are completely healthy! LOL.

Akheela, thank you so much.

Tangled Noodle said...

What an excellent vegetarian alternative to the mystery-meatness of hot dogs! And the curry puff shells are lovely - how I wish I could have one right now. 8-)

Unknown said...

Tracey@Tangled Noodle, great of you to drop by and join us for the IIP. I'm so digging your rice corn dog too!

buywowshaman said...

A great feast for eyes and tummy, wonderful presentation. A plus points for guilty-free indulgence, like it.

Cakewhiz said...

Your instructions are so clear and easy to follow...i will have to give this a shot!

Unknown said...

Abeer@Cakewhiz, I am humbled by your kind comments, thank you. I just visited your site and your superb tutorial on cake decorating just blew me away!

Elisabeth said...

Hi Maya-Stopped by your blog, via Alisha's The Ardent Epicure. I increased your blog list to #50, by following you.
Absolutely love your labor of love and gorgeous spiral puff shells, and lentil hot dogs in a shell. A lot of work involved, but oh, so yummy, and healthy!
Thank you for sharing, please stop by my blog, I invite you to follow, as well, so we can stay in touch!

Unknown said...

Thank you for stopping by and following, Elisabeth. Your support means a lot! Now I'm going to cruise over to your blog and check you out!

Jenny (VintageSugarcube) said...

Miss Maya, I absolutely continue to be ahhhmazed and inspired by your hot magic in the kitchen. Those dogs look darn good. That crispy pastry is screaming my name. Look forward to more great posts from you this year. XOXO, Jenny

Unknown said...

Jenny you hip-zen chick, I'm sure those eraser-throwing nuns at your old convent would approve of these unsinful hot dogs, don't you think? Haha, thanks for dropping by, lovey!

lena said...

that's cool, you're making your own hotdogs and the spiral puff is simply gorgeous looking, i would also like to try my hands at making spiral puffs.

Anonymous said...

What a cool way to use puff pastry!

http://happensafterfive.wordpress.com

FOODESSA said...

I had to come and see you since Alisha (Magic of Spice) spoke so highly of you...and she certainly was on the mark about her description of your creativity in the kitchen.

The filling in these unique hotdogs has my palate singing...great ingredients ;o)

Flavourful wishes,
Claudia

Unknown said...

Lena, I do hope you'll try making these spiral puffs, they're real easy and look eyecatching!

Unknown said...

Claudia, I'm so glad you came by and I can't thank Alisha enough for her praises. I think she is an amazing woman whose kitchen creations constantly inspire me! These hot dogs were really created on a whim, but the spices and lentil are amongst my favorite flavors. Good to know that your tastebuds were stirred by this recipe ;-).

A little bit of everything said...

this is a healthy vegetarian hot dog I'd definitely eat. flavorful combo. love the puff pastry spiral.
Thanks for sharing, hope you're having a wonderful week

Angela said...

Genius. That looks like a hotdog I would eat!

Mother Rimmy said...

What a creative dish! Truly healthy and I love the hot dog!

Kristi

Beauties and the Feast said...

Love this! Puff pastry makes everything yummy. :)

Celeste @ Berrytravels said...

Brilliant idea! I'm quite impressed by your ingenuity!

Agnes said...

Mhmm you had me at currypuff! ;) Your lentil hot dogs look fantastic!

Unknown said...

Roxana, Angela, Kristi, Beauties, Celeste and Agnes - I can only say Merci. You've all made me one happy girl!

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