Hey, there! How have things been in your world these past two months?
You may have wondered what was going on in mine after I dropped off the face of the planet, unannounced. But I was around, very much so, and missing you too. Life just got in the way and to make a long story short, I didn’t have much time to come up with fabulous new eats in the kitchen good enough to share with you.
So finally, here’s something fabulous: my whole-wheat sandwich buns.
I wanted to come back with a bread recipe because I know those are the ones many of you love. Besides, I love the idea of baking, and inspiring others to bake. So what if it’s summer? You don’t have to sit next to the oven while the bread bakes, and what are exhaust fans for? And trust me, once you’ve eaten these buns wrapped around grilled veggie burgers and some grilled veggies, you will be more than happy you made them.
Before I delve into the recipe, I wanted to give you an update on the health adventures of Lucy, my big old German Shepherd mix who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma over two years ago.
Lucy’s inspired many of you dog parents who have dealt with similar diagnoses for their beloved animals. Over the years you’ve written to ask for advice, or just share your stories of heartbreak and hope.
In May this year, two years and two months after her diagnosis, Lucy went to the oncologist for what was supposed to be a landmark checkup: the doctor had told us that if she was found to be free of cancer two years after her diagnosis and treatment, she was officially cancer-free.
She was. Her lungs were spotless with no signs of cancerous nodules, and, the vet told us, she looked great. We broke out the champagne, but our joy wasn’t to last. Within less than a month of that visit, Lucy started to limp again, this time on her surviving back leg. It can’t be the big C, I told Desi, afraid of even saying the word out loud. Hadn’t the vets just declared her cancer-free? It’s likely hip dysplasia, and that can be operated upon, can’t it?
It wasn’t. It was indeed the osteosarcoma. This time amputation to get the cancer out of her body was not an option because she’s already tripawed. Worse, X-rays showed that the nodules had indeed migrated to her lungs this time, putting the cancer in an advanced category.
Lucy started radiation therapy yesterday. It’s palliative, meaning it will not cure her, nor increase her life span. All it will do is mask the pain so she can be a little more comfortable as she winds down. Three to six months is what we have, the doctors have told us.
All the vets who see her tell us that Lucy’s is a rare case. Most dogs don’t make it past six months after an osteosarcoma diagnosis, but Lucy’s held it off for two years and four months. A miracle dog. But if that’s supposed to make us feel good, it doesn’t. We know we are lucky to have had Lucy with us for these last few years, and grateful for them, but that doesn’t prepare us for the time she won’t be with us anymore. For now, we are fighting and hoping along with Lucy. As always, please keep her in your thoughts.
***
Now here’s my recipe for these Whole-Wheat Garlic and Herb Sandwich Buns, perfect to slap those veggie burgers on, hot off the grill.
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (not hot)
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- For the garlic and herb mix , mix together in a small bowl:
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dry thyme
- 1 tsp dry rosemary
- Mix the yeast, water and sugar. Stir and let it stand at least five minutes or until the yeast starts to froth and multiply.
- Add the flours and salt. With your hands, or using a stand mixer set to low speed, knead until you have a sticky dough, around 6 minutes. If the dough is too soft, add some more bread flour.
- Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl, turning over once to coat with the oil, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled. In my summer kitchen this took just around 45 minutes.
- Punch the dough down and, on a lightly oiled surface, roll it into a rectangle about 8 inches by 12 inches.
- Spread the garlic and herb mixture evenly on the rectangle, then, starting with the short side, roll the dough into a log (as you would for a jelly roll or cinnamon bun or parotta).
- Using a sharp knife or a pair of scissors, cut the log into 1-inch lengths. You should have eight pieces.
- Place each of the rolls on a lightly oiled baking sheet, pressing each down into a circle. Place them at least two inches apart.
- Cover loosely and let them rise for another hour until they are nice and puffed up.
- I brushed the tops of mine with a mixture of egg replacement powder and soymilk to give them a glossy finish, and then I sprinkled the top with sesame seeds. You can use poppy seeds too, or leave the seeds and egg-replacer wash out altogether.
- Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25 minutes. The rolls will be golden brown.
- Let them cool for about 10 minutes, then remove to a rack and let them cool thoroughly.
- Enjoy!
(C) All recipes and photographs copyright of Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes.
I don’t know what to say, Vaishali, except that Lucy and you and Desi are in my thoughts. All my best wishes to the sweet pup and may she be comfortable and free of pain.
I am so sorry to hear about your puppy! I hope the transition is easy for you all.
Thank you for this recipe. It looks very good!
I’m so sorry to hear about Lucy. My heart goes out to you. I’ve been down a similar road. Their lives are never lived long enough even when healthy. It’s so unfair. I know you will spend lots of special moments with her and give her more than enough love. I’m sending some too. It’s hard, so hard.
Sorry to hear about lucy. Hope she is free from all those sufferings.
Vaishali, I can only imagine the pain it must be causing to know a loved one is not going to be around long. I have never had a dog but am absolutely dog crazy. If I visit friends with dogs, I spend more time with the furry darlings than with my human friends. I wish you and Desi strength to go through this tough phase. I hope whatever time Lucy has with you guys is peaceful and pain free for her. Loads of love to you and Lucy.
oh and thanks for the recipe! V & I don’t like garlic at all so we will probably cut that out and add more dried herbs and some olive oil in.
All I can say is, Lucy is a true fighter! Hope she feels better. No wonder I was thinking there must be something going on otherwise you update blog more often.
Take care, will try these buns sometime.
Vashali, I am so sorry about Lucy. There is no easy way to face losing a beloved companion, whether it’s sudden or a long illness. I’ve faced both too many times to count. I, for one, am so very grateful that you have shared Lucy with us. Our critters are treasures which we can only hold onto for too short a time. However, never having held those treasures at all would have been far worse. Wishing you, Desi, Lucy and your other furry family members strength & courage during this difficult period.
Poor Lucy. I hope your last few months with her are great. She’s lucky to have such excellent human companions who have done so much to care for her!
And I love your bread recipes (well, all your recipes, really, but my husband adores every bread recipe I make of yours), so thank you for this! It’s winter here, so they may have to wait until I become veggie-burger obsessed again, but they look great!
Vaishali, my thoughts and hugs are with Lucy, Desi and you. I know you will enjoy a few last memorable frolics together… xx
I was really hoping that your recent absence from the blogging world wasn’t due to pet illness. I cannot express how grateful I will always be for your support during Jasper’s Osteosarcoma diagnosos and treatment – you were inspirational for us. Please pass big hugs and kisses from my family to Lucy, she is such a beautiful, amazing dog.
V–So sorry about your pup. Last year we said goodbye to our almost 21 year old cat. Tough day. Very tough. We are still remembering him fondly. And you will Lucy.
Dear Vaishali,
my heart goes out to you and Lucy. I know how heartbreaking is saying goodbye to our pawed beloved. But the truth is it is never a goodbye and always a see you later. Wherever we go at the end – heaven, a not-so-spiritual mega-disco or back to the stars – they will be there waiting for us. And sometimes they just stay around here helping us to cope with loss. And then again, miracles happen all the time.
I wish you, Desi and Lucy all the joy of the world, even now. Now more than ever.
Aren’t our animal friends as dear to us as two-legged people? Our seventeen-year-old shepherd-mix Mac left us this year. He had a long, happy, purposeful life and we were so grateful that he just expired of old age in a nest of quilts in our living-room surrounded by his two-legged and four-legged family, with no pain or fear. Lucy is so lucky to have human-type people to love her so.
buns looks fantastic
I always look in here when I want some Indian inspiration and I am so sorry to find sad news as well as what looks like a great recipe.
I hope the rest of Lucy’s life is pain-free and filled with affection. None of us knows how much life we have left so it is important to keep it topped up with love as you are doing with your gorgeous dog.
Many hugs to you all.
xxx
So sorry to hear about Lucy.
I’m on a baking spree lately, so thanks for these buns. I’ll give these a shot soon.
I am so sorry to hear about Lucy. Best wishes to all of you as you go through this.
I’d been missing your posts, and I’m so sorry to hear about Lucy’s prognosis. Sending virtual ****HUGS********
I am so sorry about Lucy. sending you all hugs and wishing lucy a painfree rest of the life.
I lost my Lucy nearly ten years ago. I still think of her every day. I hope Lucy’s transition is as gentle as my old girl’s. Thank you for your lovely words and recipes.
Sweet Lucy, she’s so brave. I pray these months are pain-free for her and that you have the strength to go through this challenging time. Saying goodbye is never easy. Lucy is blessed to have such a loving family, as I am sure you are too for having her. Sending blessings and prayers your way.
I am sorry to hear about lovely Lucy. Your love for her is surely why she has made it so far.
It is so difficult when out companion animals.are ill and even more so when you kniw there is not much time left.
Hugs.
I am sorry to hear about lovely Lucy. Your love for her is surely why she has made it so far.
It is so difficult when out companion animals.are ill and even more so when you kniw there is not much time left.
Hugs.
So sorry to hear about Lucy’s illness. Your love for her is her strength. Hugs
Hi Vaishali, Lucy looks so very sweet, I’m sorry to read the sad news. She has had the time of her life with you and trust me, she will never really leave your side, I can guarantee that. After I suddenly lost my beloved Sheba when she was still too young to leave this world, I had a chance to reconnect with her and, man, the force of the love they feel for us is endless, with no limits of time or space. Lucy will be with you for a long time.
I have a question about your buns, how long will they last?
Love,
Martina
I’m so sorry to hear the news of your beloved Lucy. I pray you will be strengthened by the love and memories she has given you and your family.
Thank you for sharing this love story. I am touched that you became vegan because of Lucy. She certainly has enriched your life and you hers.
So in 2016 these buns are really good! (sorry about your dog)