mains – 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.

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.

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.

Vegetable Noodle Soup

So ya I got.. SICK!…. like….NAILED! After 26 hours of Yoga Teacher Training that for me was a HUGE milestone ( my first TT ever)…I am now resting and eating simple foods. I have made this soup for the past two days and I am convinced that practice is mastery- the more you do, the better it turns out- this broth is PHENOMENAL. It’s a simple broth- I didn’t want that tamari or soy sauce taste and I didn’t want bouillon- I wanted that full flavorful taste of asian broths that appear almost clear, nothing floating around in it, nothing to get in the way but this one has the antioxidant, antibacterial crud busting anti-inflammatory fighting properties of Turmeric. The first night I tried making it with garlic and I found that, tho it was tasty, it had that raw garlic taste that to me seemed a little bit overwhelming. Last night I omitted the garlic and stuck with the ginger and onions. I think I am in love. The broth takes less than 10 minutes to make- less even- then I added in beautiful local veggies; Sautéed Kale, sweet potatoes, and some Chipotle Baked Tofu I had in the fridge. You could definitely play with flavors by adding mushrooms or scallions etc- this was me, in the middle of a 27 hour training, sick- and it was

D E L I C I O U S.

broth

Simple Turmeric Broth for Vegetable Noodle Soup 2016

6c water

½ onion, coarsely chopped

2” fresh ginger, grated

1t turmeric

1t sesame oil

1t pink salt

Put everything in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a large heatproof pitcher (I use my Vitamix container) or bowl. Discard the vegetables. Pour the broth back into the pot and then proceed to add fresh veggies, cooked rice noodles. This is the simplest, clear broth and it is just so easy and perfect for a pick me up or when you are not feeling full force to sip on.

sick-girl-noodle-soup

Vegetable Noodle Soup

3-4c Simple Broth

1/2 steamed sweet potato, sliced

1c Sautéed Kale

Sliced Chipotle Baked Tofu

1 serving rice noodles or vermicelli

1t hot sesame oil

Hot Water for noodles

optional: you could add other veggies; mushrooms, baby corn, water chestnuts etc.

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In a bowl, add the uncooked, quick cooking noodles and cover with hot water. Cover and let steam. Set aside.

In a large skillet heat up the olive oil over medium high heat , prepare the Sautéed Kale by sautéing the garlic just until golden brown. Add the salt, red pepper, and then add the kale. With a fork or a pair of tongs, move the kale around the pan cooking the kale until wilted and tender. Remove from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, add little bit of hot water and the already cooked sweet potatoes slices just to heat them through. Set aside.

In the same skillet, heat up the broth and bring to a low boil.

In a serving bowl, place the cooked noodles on the bottom of the bowl. Add the cooked Kale, the sweet potatoes and the slices of tofu. Ladle the broth over to cover.Drizzle in the hot sesame oil. Taste and adjust for saltiness.

Fricken delicious.

Recovery Broth/ Noodle Soup Broth

This morning I wasn’t feeling so hot and immediatley set some of this broth on the stove. I omitted the sesame oil and added tons of hot peppers- jalapeño and cherry bombs to kick out whatever creeped in…I added gluten free buckwheat noodles and ginger sautéed kale and broccoli to it for a nice boost of alkalinity.

The Vegan Love Project

I have been addicted to this broth the past several days. I have made it both with fresh turmeric and with powdered- the fresh offers a much more vibrant looking broth but both are equally healing. Perfect to make extra to have to sip on or make 1/2 the recipe and make the perfect amount for a bowl of buckwheat ramen & veggies.

Recovery Broth

6c water

½ onion, coarsely chopped

2” fresh ginger, grated

1” fresh turmeric, grated OR 1t turmeric powder

1t sesame oil

1t pink salt

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Put everything in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a heatproof container. Discard the vegetables. Pour the broth back into the pot and then proceed to add the sesame oil. You can add fresh veggies, cooked rice noodles, buckwheat soba or ramen…

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Potato Leek Soup With Broccoli

So easy and really delicious, the addition of coconut oil makes it almost buttery and round in flavor. You could totally puree this and make it like a traditional Potato Leek soup but I love the chunks, especially with the broccoli florets floating around. 🙂

Potato Leek & Broccoli Soup

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

3 large russet or 6 gold potatoes, peeled & medium dice

1 small onion, medium dice

4 leeks, trimmed, rinsed and sliced (discard the thick tough green tops)

1 small head broccoli, trimmed and cut

1/4t black pepper

1 vegetable bouillon cube (or 1T veggie broth powder)

2T extra virgin olive oil

1T coconut oil

1t turmeric

1t smoked chipotle powder

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6c boiling water

1t smoked salt or to taste

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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 with the turmeric and salt until golden and soft. Add the leeks and sauté until the leeks turn bright green and have wilted. Add the potatoes, coconut oil, chipotle, and black pepper. Mix well and add the boiling water, and the bouillon cube (or powder). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

The leeks should be super soft, almost disintegrated.

Add in the broccoli in the last 10 minutes of cooking, and cook only until the broccoli is bright green and tender.

Adjust the seasonings before serving. Serve with bread or add GF pasta or grains of your choosing.

RAW COCONUT YOGURT

*raw yogurt

This is one of my most favorite foods of all time. I love food- It really doesn’t go well for me when I don’t like the food I am eating. Yogurt is one of those foods that historically has not translated well into being vegan, it’s just sort of weird. Whether its made from soy or nut milk, commercial vegan yogurt is really just not my favorite. It wasn’t until raw food school that I started to dabble in the fermented foods- we made yogurt out of coconuts…I wasn’t impressed, I mean I was, but not for the amount of work that went into making a cup of it….then I discovered raw frozen coconut meat. My sister Karen as per usual, started the entire family on the obsession, this time Raw Organic Vegan Yogurt. Made from literally 3 ingredients, ok 4 if you count water. This tastes like yogurt, but without that weird, sour dairy aftertaste….It’s so so simple, however, it may take a while to get into your awesome vegan yogurt groove. It’s almost imperative that you own a Vitamix or a heavy duty blender to get this done. In this post, I will be as transparent as possible with how I do this recipe simply because I’ve got it down. Feel free to add, change, and experiment with equipment, ingredients, etc and please, if you do, tell me how it goes.

WHAT I USE / ESSENTIALS:

2 packages frozen coconut meat, thawed or / 2 pounds fresh meat (about 2 Young Thai coconuts)– don’t be trying to use the brown coconuts either, it’s not going to go well. Young Thai coconuts are soft, very soft. If you can’t find frozen coconut meat and you are super adept and ambitious and want to make it from scratch scratch, as in from the whole coconut, look up youtube videos on how to open up a coconut. You can use the water for the yogurt or drink it- it’s absolutely spectacular and depending upon the coconut, you may have more water than you will need for one recipe of yogurt.
1 cup filtered water or raw coconut water– if you are using raw coconut water, you may want to adjust the sweetness from the sugar- coconut water is slightly sweet, when I use coconut water, I don’t even add sugar- I like the sour in contrast to fresh fruit (personal). Unless you have a source of raw coconut water, which many really don’t, use water. Even the coconut water that is claiming to be raw- isn’t, it’s treated with pressure which in turn, sort of cooking it. Coconut water in boxes is bullshit, it’s cooked and really is nothing more than sugar water without the vitamins, minerals and electrolytes touted- if you love the flavor then go ahead, otherwise, stick to plain water.
2-4T coconut blossom sugar, raw agave, coconut crystals, maple syrup– I love the coconut blossom sugar, its still got many minerals intact, isn’t crazy sweet and it doesn’t discolor the final product where as the darker sweeteners may
2 probiotic capsules- emptied or 1t probiotic powder– I use a vegan probiotic capsule- this is what kicks off the fermentation. I am sure you could use kombucha or kefir or some other starter but for me, the capsules offer clean, easy and consistent results and you are guaranteed a ton of gut love in the process.
dehydrator– not essential but again, insures consistent results. I put the yogurt mix in and 6-12 hours later its a done deal. If I want it more tart, I leave it in longer. You can purchase a yogurt maker if you know that you want the vegan love in your life all day everyday, or invest in a simple dehydrator if you think you may want to dry a banana or a mango from time to time. If you do not have a dehydrator, store the yogurt in a microwave, a cabinet, or somewhere that stays warm, it may take up to 3 days for it to ferment but it will work, just keep tasting it until it tastes as sour as you like.

HOW I DO:

In the blender, add the meat , sugar if using and the water. Run it on low until the machine grabs it and starts blending it together then start to increase the speed. You may need the Vitamix plunger to help it along- you could add more water but I find that that messes with the end result, it actually tastes like a diluted version. Once you are at full speed, run it for at least 5 minutes or until completely smooth, no specks, bumps, nothing- smooth as velvet or cream. FIVE MINUTES, no less. This is where your average blender will most definitely crap out. Add the probiotics. Let run for another 30 seconds until incorporated.

Pour out of the blender into a container and cover it. I place it in the dehydrator, again, anywhere warm will do it just may take longer to turn.

You can play with adding fruit to this base mix, you can add more sweetener, I love making a fruit concentrate with fresh fruit and sugar and letting it sit out overnight. When I do that, I make individual containers and spoon in the “fruit on the bottom”. Peach is my favorite, strawberries are also quite lovely and of course, blueberry….I’ve made lemon yogurt, coffee, lemon with fresh raspberries, vanilla, plain, whipped…I eat this stuff everyday….. I make Lassis, frozen yogurt, I give it to my Pitbulls, Ginger & Izabel and they LOVE it. Raw Vegan Yogurt for everyone!!!

So go forth, make some badass vegan raw coconut yogurt, if you need supplies, Burning Heart carries the meat and the coconut blossom sugar if you would like to order some. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me at HotYogaGrl@gmail.com, if I can answer them I will. Most importantly, love yourself up when you’re making this and think good thoughts….it truly is a powerful and healing bit of deliciousness, there is something miraculous about it…Let me know how it goes…..Peace Love and all that good stuff ❤