Country Style Veggie Pâté

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dry buckwheat groats (kasha)
• 1-1/4 cups vegetable broth or stock
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (preferably organic)
• 2 medium onions (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (sliced)
• 1-1/4 cups peeled and cubed roasted sweet potato
• 1 large zucchini (trimmed and grated (you can leave the skin on))
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• Pinch nutmeg
• 3/4 cup lightly toasted sunflower seeds
• 2 tablespoons finely ground flax seeds
• 3 tablespoons soy or chickpea flour
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with parchment, or spray with nonstick spray.

2. 2

   Bring the broth to a boil in a small pot.

3. 3

   Add the buckwheat, lower heat to simmer, and cover.

4. 4

   Simmer for 15-18 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed; removed from heat and set aside to cool.

5. 5

   Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frypan and add the onion and garlic.

6. 6

   Sauté until the onion is golden and the garlic has begun to brown.

7. 7

   Add the sweet potato and zucchini along with the rosemary, parsley, tarragon and nutmeg and continue to cook until the zucchini releases most of its liquid.

8. 8

   Turn off heat.

9. 9

   In the bowl of a food processor, grind the sunflower seeds, flax seeds and soy flour until it reaches the consistency of a fine meal.

10. 10

    Add the onion-vegetable mixture and process until almost smooth.

11. 11

    Add the cooked buckwheat to the processor; process until desired consistency is reached (I like it perfectly smooth, more like a conventional pate; you can leave it a bit grainy if you prefer).

12. 12

    Season with salt and pepper.

13. 13

    Turn the mixture into the prepared pan and bake the pate for 60 to 70 minutes, until the outside is crisp and browned.

14. 14

    Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

15. 15

    Leftovers will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, or they can be frozen.