No, you’re not imagining: here I am again, a mere day after my previous post–and proffering yet another holiday-themed recipe! I know: totally out of character. But it’s the holidays!
I mean, doesn’t this happen to you, too? You’re invited to a plethora of holiday parties and events; and, since you really want to see all your friends and family, you accept every invitation with the best of intentions. Then, the weekend arrives and–ack!!–not only do you have seventeen shindigs to attend on the same day, you’ve also got your own holiday cooking and baking to take care of as well! You frantically attempt to juggle all your commitments, guzzling a bit of eggnog here and a bite of a cheese ball there before racing off to the next soirée.
(No? You mean it’s just me?).
Well, when Marly (of Namely Marly) and Allyson (of Manifest:Vegan) sent out a request a while back for bloggers to participate in their Virtual Vegan Holiday potluck dinner, how could I refuse such a good party? I offered to bring along an appetizer, then set about searching through my recipes for a tried-and-true favorite. (And don’t forget to check out all the other courses being served up by other bloggers today–full list at the end of this post!).
This carrot pâté is a longtime favorite of mine, and one I’ve been serving at special occasions since my twenties. When I first started serving this at dinner parties, the recipe contained something like 4 eggs and mayonnaise; I revamped it to a vegan version over a decade ago and have been refining it ever since. It’s a fabulous offering for a cocktail party, potluck dinner, or buffet table. Just place your unmolded pâté on a serving platter and allow people to shave off their own slices (be sure to tell them it’s not cheddar cheese–something my guests seem to assume in alarming numbers!). Leftovers are great on toast the next day (in fact, I’ve been known to slather some on an Oatmeal Poppyseed Scone for breakfast–sort of like a carrot jam), in a sandwich for lunch, or as an afternoon snack with crackers.
Because the carrots are first boiled, then baked, they release their natural sweetness and become meltingly soft, almost custard-like, when blended with the other ingredients. I enjoy the hint of thyme in this pâté, but if you’re not a fan, just leave it out or substitute with another favorite herb (I think tarragon would be superb in this, or a pinch of nutmeg).
I actually posted an earlier iteration of the recipe, waaaay back when this blog was still a young’un, but since there were only, like, eight of you reading at that time (okay, I just went back and checked: it was 12 of you), I thought it prudent to post it again, updated for the ACD; I also added a kick of spice in this version, courtesy of either sriracha or chili flakes. Besides, I felt obliged to shoot a new photo so that you wouldn’t assume the pâté was truly the same shade of neon orange that appears in the first picture. . . oh, wait a sec. Scratch that last comment.
Okay, so maybe it does have an electric orange hue. But I promise you, you will love this pâté. Just think of the color as lively, energetic, festive. . . inviting. Sort of makes you want to party, doesn’t it?
“Mum, we like to party, too, you know! And by ‘party,” we mean ‘eat some of that pâté,’ of course! Thanks for making recipe, too, Mum–we were getting nervous with all of that chocolate around the past few days.”
Carrot Pâté (Suitable for ACD Stage 2 and Beyond)
Unlike a traditional pâté, this carrot spread is smooth, creamy, and light–almost like a dense custard. The flavor is a tantalizing combination of sweet, tangy and spicy, and works perfectly with crackers or hearty bread.
1 pound (about 455 g) carrots, trimmed and peeled (6-8 large carrots)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, preferably organic
2 Tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp (30 ml) light or white mellow miso*
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) dried thyme or about 1 tsp (5 ml) fresh (I used 3 stalks)
1 package (12 ounces/375 g) extra-firm silken tofu (I used Mori-Nu)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) potato starch
1 tsp (5 ml) sriracha (for ACD Stage 3 or later) or 1/4 tsp (1 ml) chili flakes (for ACD Stage 2 or later)
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh parsley or cilantro leaves
Preheat oven to 325F (170C). Spray four individual ramekins or 3 mini loaf pans with nonstick spray, or line with parchment. Place the ramekins or pans on a cookie sheet and set aside.
Place the carrots in a large pot of lightly salted water and bring to the boil over high heat. Lower heat slightly and cook until the carrots are just tender, 7-10 minutes. Drain and allow to cool.
Place the carrots and remaining ingredients in a powerful blender (I use a VitaMix) or food processor and blend until perfectly smooth and no traces of tofu are visible.
Divide the mixture evenly among the ramekins. Bake (on the cookie sheet) in preheated oven for 50-65 minutes, rotating the cookie sheet about halfway through, until the pâté is puffed slightly and the top appears dry.
Allow to cool, then cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. To unmold, invert ramekin on a serving plate and shake once to loosen the pâté (if it doesn’t come out easily, run a sharp knife along the edge of the ramekin before unmolding). Garnish with more fresh herbs if desired. Serve with crackers or bread. Makes 10-12 appetizer servings. Will keep, covered in the refrigerator, up to 4 days.
* Note: you can replace the miso with cashew butter, tahini, or another nut butter if you like; I sometimes use half miso and half cashew butter for a creamier result.
Here’s the rest of the Virtual Vegan Holiday Dinner Lineup:
Appetizer
Carrot Pâté by Yours Truly
The Drink
Winter Warmer Cocktail by Pea Soup Eats
Main Dish
Vegan Holiday Casserole by Namely Marly
The Sides
Cranberry and Orange Ginger Mango Chutney by Loves Veggies and Yoga
Sweet Potato Puree with Maple and Sour Cream by Vegan Good Things
The Bread
Crescent Rolls by That’s So Vegan
The Best Part: Desserts
Four Ingredient Vegan Pumpkin Pie by Lunch Box Bunch
Skillet Pear Gingerbread Cake by The Tolerant Vegan
Chocolate Pecan Cookie Pies by Your Vegan Mom
EggonogCheesecake by Manifest Vegan
Last Year at this Time: Butter Berry Cake Bars (gluten free; ACD Stage 3 and beyond)
Two Years Ago: Hazelnut Melting Moments (gluten free variation; ACD mainenance only)
Three Years Ago: Marzipan-Topped Shortbread Cookies (not gluten free [uses spelt];ACD maintenance only).
Four Years Ago: Silence, Snow and Sweets
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to RickiHeller.com via email. You’ll get recipes as soon as they’re posted, plus cookbook updates and news about upcoming events! (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”
Hi! I'm Ricki, cookbook author, professional recipe developer, holistic nutritionist and anti-candida crusader. Let me show you how easy it is to eat plant-based, sugar-free, gluten free food that tastes great! 
){kind=link}
Too many good recipes, too little time!…:-)
Do you think it would be possible to add to DDD, a “save to my recipe box” (or something like that) feature? It would be so much useful – to me, at least! I have so many of the DDD recipes bookmarked that I had to open a new folder just for them on my virtual cooking shelf.
Thanks for all the work you do for us, readers, creating, preparing and sharing all this healthy delicacies!
Greetings from Germany 🙂
Hi Weisserose,
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! So appreciated. 😀
Believe it or not, I only just heard about the recipe box feature in the past week. I am looking into it and think it may be something I add when I do my blog revamp in the new year. I agree–it makes life much easier!
Thanks again for reading and for your support! xo Ricki
Ah I remember that pate – a bit creamy for me but lots of lovely flavour (maybe firm tofu would work better for me to give more texture) – it is nice to see you re-posting recipes I remember because it makes me feel like we are long time friends – yes I was one of the 12 readers back then!!! And your photography has improved but even back then it had style. Enjoy all your parties – virtual and otherwise!
Ah, thanks, Johanna! And I do declare that you were one of the very first readers to comment on my site, if I remember correctly! Yes, it has been a while, hasn’t it? But we still haven’t met in person, which makes me sad. (One day!). Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season–I have absolutely no doubt that I’d much prefer the weather at your Christmas than ours over here, white or otherwise. 😉 Hugs! xo
I checked out the other one, and I like this round shape better. Both are neon orange and really cool. I may make this for get togethers with my non-vegan family members.
I know, I was hoping this one wouldn’t be as neon, but it is 😉 . This one has also been made anti-candida friendly (no malt) and has added spice–just so you know!
I always struggle with appetizers, because I am drawn to main dishes on a day-to-day basis. This looks great, Ricki! Yours looks so gorgeous with that orange! 🙂
Thanks, Janet! The color is pretty intense. 😉
That looks amazing, Ricki! I would love to take that to my real holiday party, but I probably wouldn’t want to share with anyone. Maybe I’ll make two – one for me and one for everyone else. Happy Virtual Vegan Holiday Dinner day!
Thanks so much, Marly! Hope your real holiday is a great one, too! 😀
Ricki! This is FANTASTIC! I’m a little anxious now, I have all of those ingredients but I’m without a high speed blender!
This is truly an inspiring recipe, thank you for sharing! 🙂
x
Hi Tara,
Thank you so much! You can use a food processor as well (see instructions), but it might be just a tad less creamy/custardy. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if you read Johanna’s comment (she thought it was too smooth!). 🙂
I can very much relate to your second paragraph, Ricki! It’s not just you. <3
So glad you made the time to attend our little get together. Everything on the menu looks incredible–and wouldn't you know I have been on a pate kick lately? Yours is gorgeous.
Ha, ha! Well, that means you were invited to lots of events, which is a good thing! 🙂 Loved your eggnog cheesecake as well!
this looks so good! do you think it would work with raw carrot? are those bigger crackers gluten-free? if so which brand? thanks!
Thanks, bitt! You could certainly make it raw, but I’m pretty sure the texture would be very, very different (not to mention the flavor). This is one of those dishes that I keep as-is. . . though I’m sure there are many other great raw carrot pates out there. 🙂 The crackers are Nairns oatmeal crackers. I don’t think they’re certified GF, though. 🙁
yummmm.. i love this pate.. i think i have all the stuff! i just need to make some more crackers and i am good to go for a weekend snack! yes there are definitely so many recipes.. i bookmarked and pinned and stuff but they get lost in all the huge numbers of collections.. someone needs to come up with an easier way to organize favorite recipes!
This would be great on your crackers–which I still can’t wait to try! 🙂
What a fabulous starter – and without a lot of fuss too, my kind of recipe! I love the colour too:)
Thanks so much! I think I’ve gotten used to the neon glare, finally. 😉
Not only does this look amazing, but I will feel like such a fancy pants when I serve it to my friends! Right now my appetizers consist of whatever I pick up in the frozen foods section at Trader Joe’s. It’s pathetic, I know. But now I can give them something delicious, gorgeous and vegan! Thank you!
Thanks, Nikki! Hope you (and they) enjoy it! “Fancypants”–love it! 😉
This looks great! What an elegant appetizer.
Thanks so much! 🙂
My kind of recipe! I may have to make this for Christmas at my Mom’s — that’ll mean a bad blender, but I’ll do my best!
You can definitely do it in a regular blender, just use smaller batches. 🙂
Squeee! This reminds me of a carrot dip that my mum sometimes makes to accompany her famous antipasto platter, but far fancier and more festive. I wonder if I could add this to our Christmas table…
Your mom’s sounds great, too! Did you ever post the recipe?
Beautiful! Appetizers have always been my favorite course (even over dessert!) and this one looks delicious. Happy Holidays!
Can’t say I’d choose this over dessert, but I do love it! (maybe more for breakfast than an appetizer, even. . .). 🙂 Hope your holiday is a good one, too!
When I ate meat, pate never appealed to me. I don’t think I ever tried it. Love the sound of this carrot one though!
Same here! Yet it’s odd I do like the vegan “meaty” pates. And I LOVE this one. Hope you like it!
Aren’t Carrots not OK for anti Candida??
Andi, on the diet I followed (Whole Approach), carrots are allowed from the first stage. Some diets don’t allow them. You have to find what works for you.
i hate to ask…but i really like this recipe (except one ingredient)
Can tofu be substituted? If so…with what? 🙂
Thanks!
You shouldn’t hate to ask! I do hate to give this answer, though, but I don’t think there’s a suitable substitute. Anything else I can think of (eg, nut butter, coconut butter, chickpea flour) probably wouldn’t work and the texture would be way off. Sometimes, it just has to be tofu. . . ! Sorry. 🙁