comfort food – The Vegan Love Project

Hearty Lentil Farrow Vegetable Soup

Hearty Lentil Farrow Vegetable Soup

Whenever I am need of warming up, this is the meal I make. It is so simple and so very satisfying. Torn bread with olive oil or vegan butter makes this a perfect spread. Brown lentils are reminiscent of a beef stew while the lighter lentils make it more of a European 1^st course. Experiment!

2c lentils, cooked, washed and drained- can use yellow, green or brown- ALL DELICIOUS

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

2 stalks celery, large dice

1 carrots, large chop

3 small yellow skinned potatoes, large dice

1c-cooked farrow

1-2c broccoli florets, cauliflower, diced and/or chopped leafy greens

1/4t black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper flakes

1T fresh parsley, minced

2-3T extra virgin olive oil

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil, in case you need more

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions, until golden and caramelized over medium high heat. Add the carrots, celery, potatoes, salt, black and red pepper. When the edges of the vegetables begin to brown, lower the heat and cook covered for 3-5 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Add the cooked lentils and the cooked farrow, mixing them into the vegetables. Add the boiling water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli.

Adjust the seasonings before serving. Serve with crusty bread and drizzle with olive oil.

SIMPLE FERMENTED CASHEW CREAM CHEESE 2018

This is bomb. Leave out the onion powder and you have the base for a cheesecake, I know because I’ve made it. That recipe is coming soon. Try this. YUM. Perfect on crackers, bread, with raw fresh veggies like celery or carrots dipped into it…top it with olives, mix the olives in, chop up some chives…this shit is DOPE.

SIMPLE FERMENTED CASHEW CREAM CHEESE 2018

1c cashews, soaked for an hour then drained

vegan probiotics- 2 capsules (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

1/2c-filtered water

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1/2t pink salt

1/4t onion powder

2t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

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Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews and water.

Blend this at a lower speed initially to well incorporate the contents, speed up the motor as it gets blended. You will need to process this for at least 4-5 minutes until the cashews are absolutely creamy. Scrape down the sides intermittently and be sure to get all possible ‘pieces’ of cashews blended into the mix. Add a T of water as needed if the mixture gets stuck. If you run this too fast, the contents will heat up- if this happens let it cool prior to adding the probiotics.

When totally creamy and smooth, add the probiotics and blend for 20-30 more seconds. Remove to a glass or stainless steel bowl and set in a safe, warm place- I place mine in the dehydrator at about 100 degrees and let it run overnight. In lieu of a dehydrator, place it in a warm spot in your kitchen, covered. Leave this overnight at minimum, taste for the sour, and let it sit until desired sourness up to 24hours.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, onion powder and lemon juice. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set and flavors to meld.

Vegan Seitan “Chicken”Paprikash

Vegan “Chicken” Seitan Paprikash

This is a stovetop version of my Grandmother’s traditional Hungarian dish that was one of my most favorites growing up. My grandma would cook whole chicken legs in white rice bathed in oil with onions and a ton of Hungarian paprika. My mom would kid that in order to make this properly, you need a full gallon of oil. If you are not interested in using a “fake” chicken product, or would like this dish to be gluten free, chickpeas replace the “chicken” in this dish remarkably well; it is equally delicious although not as familiar as what I grew up on. Serve this with a huge side of Sautéed Kale.

1 pound chicken style seitan, drained (Westsoy makes a chicken seitan) or make your own! Or 1 can or 1-1/2c chickpeas

1/2t pink Salt

1/2t black pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, medium dice

4c Water

2T Hungarian paprika

1 1/2c white basmati or carolina rice

1 bouillon cube or replace the water with veggie broth

In a large heated pot, sauté ¼ of the onion in 1 T of oil until golden and just brown. Add the “chicken” and sauté until and heated through and it has a little bit of color on it- then remove it from the pan and set aside. In the same pan add the remaining onions and olive oil and sauté for 6-8 minutes. Add in the paprika, salt, pepper and the bouillon cube and continue to sauté until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the cooked rice and add back in the “chicken”, and add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cook partially covered for an additional 30-40 minutes stirring minimally. Turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes undisturbed prior to serving.

Ellen’s Golden Milk

This is delicious as an energy boost, or a soothing night time night cap to calm nerves prior to going to bed. Lately I have been making this as a pick me up during the cold afternoons or taking it as a dessert a little bit after dinner time. Turmeric has so many amazing medicinal attributes, including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

1 heaping T Coconut Manna

2c boiling water

1/2″ piece fresh ginger

1/2t cinnamon

pinch pink salt

pinch black pepper

pinch nutmeg *optional

pinch cayenne *optional

1-3t agave or maple syrup

1 1/2t turmeric

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Heat up 2 cups water in a kettle or on the stove. Pick your mug! I don’t put the turmeric in my blender as it discolors the container – a glass container should be okay!) See below.

In a high powered blender, add all the other ingredients- ginger, manna, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, sweetener, cinnamon etc. I measure the water by the mug I chose! Big mug, more water! I pour the boiling water into the mug, then into the blender then process everything for a minute or two. While that is blending, I add the turmeric into the empty mug. When its’ finished blending, pour the hot milk into the mug, Sprinkle with more cinnamon. SO TASTY!

I Totally Winged It Amazing Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli

Since opening the second studio- time has become even more precious and my commitment to eating beautiful foods has become even more a priority (NO MORE PALM OIL). I had a craving for Mac & Cheese and none of the ingredients that I had used to make the last recipe- I had no beans that were cooked in the house other than dal, no peppers, so I improvised with what I had- homemade hummus, and a beautiful local Butterkin Squash that I roasted. Instead of adding garlic and beans I added the hummus, I added my Fermented Hot Sauce instead of fresh red peppers. It came out spicy and perfectly paired with the sweetness of local broccoli. It was SO SO good- I made it after class and it literally took no more than the 15 minutes to boil the pasta before I was sitting down eating it. Hope you enjoy it!

I Totally Winged It Amazing Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli

1c prepared hummus or chickpeas or white beans

3T fermented Hot Sauce or sriracha (spicy)

2T mellow white miso paste

2T cooked squash- Butternut, kobocha or other orange-fleshed squash

1/4c raw cashews

1/4c nutritional yeast

2T tapioca starch

2t agave or maple syrup

2t ume vinegar

1t brown rice vinegar

2t chipotle powder

2T extra virgin olive oil

1c to 1-1/2c water (depending upon desired thickness)

1/2t pink salt

1T coconut oil or vegan NO PALM oil Butter *optional

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2c-cooked broccoli, minced (see below- frozen broccoli would work well)

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1 Pound of Gluten Free Pasta

6c water to boil

2t pink salt

Clean and trim the broccoli and keep in larger florets with stalks.

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil, add the salt, toss in the broccoli and cook just until tender and bright green- about 3-4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, sweep the broccoli out into a strainer and set aside to cool.

Add the pasta into the boiling water and cook until tender- 10-12 minutes or according to package.

While the pasta is cooking, when the broccoli is cool, using a sharp knife, mince the broccoli. Lightly salt and pepper and set aside.

Place all of ingredients except the tapioca starch and broccoli, into a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Taste it and adjust for saltiness and seasoning. Add in the tapioca starch and blend well.

Drain the pasta and set aside. In the same pot add the cheese sauce and stir over medium heat until it starts to thicken- about 2-3 minutes. Add in the pasta and continue to cook over medium heat for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the entire mixture is heated through. Add in the coconut oil or butter. Add in the broccoli and stir until well incorporated.

Serve immediately. YUM.

AMAZING MACARONI & CHEESE

AMAZING MACARONI & CHEESE

This stuff is INCREDIBLE! Can be made completely gluten-free, nut-free, and or soy-free. I have been experimenting with tapioca flour lately and its delivering some pretty amazing results! I dare you to experiment with other beans, other peppers, other pastas- its completely amazing on the stove top or scroll down for a baked Mac&Cheese option. Let me know how it goes!

Cheese Sauce:

1c baby lima beans, cooked

½ red bell pepper OR 2 cherry bomb peppers (spicy)

2T mellow white miso paste

1/4c raw cashews OR 1/4c tofu (nut free) OR 1/4c coconut oil or Manna (soy free)

1/4c nutritional yeast

1 clove garlic

2T tapioca starch

2t ume vinegar

1t brown rice vinegar

2t chipotle powder

2T extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1c to 1-1/2c water (depending upon desired thickness)

1/2t pink salt

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1 Pound of Gluten Free Elbow Pasta or other pasta

6c water to boil

2t pink salt

In a large pot, bring the pasta water to a boil, add the salt, toss in the pasta and cook until tender- 10-12 minutes or according to package. Drain and set aside.

Place all of ingredients except the tapioca starch into a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Taste it and adjust for saltiness and seasoning. When it tastes how you like, blend in the tapioca.

In a large pot (I use the pasta pot), put the cooked pasta back in, drizzle some coconut or olive oil in and add the cheese sauce. Put back over medium heat and mix and stir well. The heat will make the mixture thicken and get creamy. When at desired creaminess, plate and indulge!!!

For Baked Mac&Cheese:

Leave the Mac&Cheese mixture on the wetter, creamier side- this is because it will be taking on additional cooking in the oven and you don’t want it to dry out.

Toast gluten free bread or bread of your choosing- enough to cover the portion you are baking. With a sharp knife, mince the bread into teeny pieces. Toss with coconut oil and salt and nutritional yeast. Scoop a single serving (or larger) and top with the breadcrumbs. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling and hot.

Iced Mocha Dandy

*dandy drink My sister Jill brings her Dandy Blend with her to Starbucks to make her hot and cold versions of this delicious coffee substitute…Me being me was like “I’m going to make it!” So I did…and it’s delicious!!!! Whether you drink coffee or not, this is just tasty AF. Serve warmed, hot, over ice or blended with ice to create a frozen Frosty style treat.

Iced Dandy Mocha

1T Dandy Blend or other coffee substitute

1T Raw Cacao Powder

1T Coconut Manna

1T Coconut Sugar or Date Sugar

3-4 Raw Cashews

1c water

2t Maca powder *optional (makes it malty yummy)

Pinch pink salt

Pinch vanilla

Place all ingredients in a blender and process till smooth and creamy. Serve over ice or blended with.

Easy Awesome White Girl Dal

Easy Awesome White Girl Dal

So simple and takes no time to make a delicious and satisfying meal high in protein and amazing beneficial spices. If you have a rice cooker, it makes it even more effortless. I prefer this with organic basmati rice that I add a pinch of cumin seeds to in the steamer. UN-real and super delicious.

easy-white-girl-dal

1c red lentils, moong dal (yellow lentils), or mung beans- YOU CHOOSE!

3c water

In a large pot, bring the lentils or beans to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 45-60 minutes or until buttery soft and broken down. Add more water if necessary.

Set aside. Drain if necessary.

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The DAL

2T coconut oil

1/2t cumin seeds

1t turmeric

1/2t chipolte smoked hot pepper (optional)

1” fresh ginger, grated

1/2t pink salt

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1T vegan butter

Handful of fresh parsley, minced

Large handful of baby spinach whole, or kale, cleaned and trimmed into bite size pieces.

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In a large cast iron pan, sauté the spices in the coconut oil over medium high heat.

Add the cooked lentils or beans.

Stir well incorporating the lentils/beans into the spice oil mixture.

Add in the greens. When they are bright green and just tender, finish off the dal with the vegan butter. Serve immediately over white or brown basmati rice.

Fucking delicious.

Perfect Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie 2016

ppp-2016

Perfect Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie 2016

15oz pumpkin puree ( 1 1/3c or one can)

1/4c coconut sugar

1/4c maple sugar

1/2c coconut milk/cream (can)

1T coconut manna

1T coconut oil

1T Kudzu root or arrowroot (blended with 2T water)

2t cinnamon

1/4t nutmeg

1/4t allspice

1”piece of fresh ginger

1t vanilla

½” piece of fresh turmeric

1/4t pink salt

Add the kudzu root into a small dish and mix with the water a spoon until most of the root is dissolved. Add this into the blender with the rest of the ingredients.

In the blender, add the all of the ingredients including the kudzu slurry. Blend until completely smooth and creamy- taste it and adjust the flavors (more vanilla, more sweet, more ginger, more spice etc.).

Pour the filling into your prepared, uncooked, piecrust and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until it smells and looks done. The crust should be golden brown and the filling will still be just a bit soft and have beautiful cracking on the top. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before transferring to the refrigerator to set. Refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight.

Perfect Vegan Gluten Free Crust 2016

Perfect Gluten Free Crust 2016

SO easy…..No one could tell that this was Gluten free….No one. YUMMO.

I’m thinking you could omit the maple sugar and have a pretty badass pie crust for savory items such as vegan pot pies and tofu quiches…..

perfect-vegan-gluten-free-pie-crust-2016

3T cold vegan butter

3T cold coconut oil

1-1/4c Bobs Red Mill GF All Purpose Flour, or your favorite GF mix.

1/4t pink salt

3T maple sugar

4-6T ice cold water

Sift the GF flour, sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add the cold butter and oil in 1T scoops and cut the oil into the flour using two knives or a pastry cutter. The end result should look like a sandy crumb or meal. There should not be any large chunks of oil; you want smallish bead sized bits of fat encased in the flour.

Add ice water 1T at a time using a wooden spoon or clean hands to mix it in, grabbing the flour as you go. Only add as much water as you need to help it come together to form a ball.

Once a ball of dough is formed, transfer into a 9” pie plate and work it gently with your working the crust up along the sides. Try to get the pie up as uniformly as possible all around. You can leave a straight no fuss edge or I like to make a curve design by pressing my right knuckle in between the pie dough and my left pointer finger knuckle and thumb.

Chill for a minimum 30 minutes, up to 2 days.

If you are making the dough and not forming it right away, let it warm back up a little before using but not quite to room temp. You don’t want it too warm or it the oil in the dough will get too soft to handle.

With a fork, perforate the entire bottom and up the sides of the raw crust. It is now ready to with bake or fill with your filling to be baked.

Once in the pan, For a pre-baked crust, put this into a 350 degree preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.

If you are making a pie such as the Perfect Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie 2016 where the recipe calls to bake the crust and the filling together, pour the filling into pie crust and bake for 35-45 minutes.