The Vegan Love Project

Sick White Girl Noodle Soup

So ya…I overtrained…got sick. I walked out into the cold air on Sunday and like a slap in the face, I was sick. Just like that. So now I am eating simple foods and resting…a lot. I have made this soup for the past two days and I am convinced that practice is mastery- the more you do, the better you or it becomes- the broth in this case. It is a simple, clear broth- I didn’t want tamari or that soy sauce taste and I didn’t want the bouillon taste- I wanted that full flavorful taste of asian broths that appear almost clear, nothing floating around in it, nothing to get in the way of the taste. The first night I tried 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. Scallions would be even better I suspect. The broth takes less than 10 minutes to make- less even- then I added in beautiful local veggies; nappa cabbage, carrots, fresh spinach. You could definitely expound on this premise- flavor the broth with mushrooms etc- this was me, in a pinch, sick, after work- and it was D E L I C I O U S.

Simple Broth for Sick White Girl Asian Noodle Soup

6c water

½ onion, coarsely chopped

2” fresh ginger, grated

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). 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 White Girl Asian Noodle Soup

3-4c Simple Broth

1 carrot, cut into desired shapes

3 leaves nappa cabbage, thinly shredded

1 large handful fresh spinach, trimmed and washed well, thinly shredded

1 serving rice vermicelli

1t hot sesame oil

optional: you could add tofu cubes, mushrooms, baby corn, water chestnuts etc. While I was sick, simple was best.

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Over medium heat, add the veggies except the spinach and heat up only until they carrots turn bright and are just tender. Add the noodles (uncooked if quick cooking, use cooked if it is a longer cooking pasta or noodle). Add in the hot sesame oil. Taste and adjust for saltiness.

In a bowl, place the fresh spinach in and then ladle the soup and noodles over- this will cook/wilt the spinach keeping most of the antioxidants intact.

Fricken delicious.

The Best Bowl Of Oatmeal

The Best Sweet Oatmeal

This almost tastes like custard it is so creamy and delicious. For me it is all about the balance between sweet and salty. I like to cook a little bit of sweet and salt into the oats while they are cooking so any adjustments in the bowl are only for fine tuning. Taste your oats after they are done- before you steam them to the finish so you can adjust for your liking prior to serving- the add ins are just that.

I also like adding the sweet into the cooking oatmeal because I find it’s a bummer when the add ins brings the temperature of the oatmeal down- I like my oatmeal hot!

Oatmeal Prep

1c oatmeal

1 stick cinnamon* optional

3c water

1t lemon juice

1/2t pink salt

In a non reactive pot, add in the oats, salt, lemon juice and water and let stand overnight on the stove- no heat, just to soak or soak for at least 8 hours. The acid from the lemon helps to break down the phytic acid in the grain, making it easier to digest and absorb the nutrient content in the oats- this goes for all grains! You can cook in the soaking liquid. Soaking also substantially shortens cooking time for grains which is always a plus.

The Oatmeal

In addition to the ingredients already in the pot soaked, add:

1/4c coconut sugar or maple syrup or more to taste

2t cinnamon or more to taste

1T coconut oil

More water as needed during cooking.

Over medium heat, bring the contents of the pot to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover and allow to slowly cook until the desired creaminess is achieved about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and add:

1/4c cashew or other nut milk

1T coconut oil

Let this steam on the stovetop off heat for 5 minutes- taste this then let steam. After 5 minutes or so mix well and taste again. In an individual bowl, you may add whatever mix ins you love, I add more coconut oil, and maple syrup with a sprinkling of more cinnamon, maybe a pinch of salt.

Steamed with nut milk, no heat — Steamed with nut milk, coconut oil, cinnamon- no heat

Other amazing add ins:

Fresh fruit, like bananas, berries of any kind
Dried fruit, could also be cooked in from the beginning, also added during the initial soak to soften up even more
Nuts for added protein, walnuts and pecans are particularly delicious.

Cheesy White-Bean Béchamel Sauce

I had just enough Red Sauce and Tofu Ricotta Filling left over for a personal sized lasagna and I also had cooked some Baby Lima Beans this weekend that I had made Escarole & Beans with hanging out in my fridge so I thought about experimenting with a white cheese sauce. White beans have such great creamy texture that it made making this delicious Béchamel style sauce easy and delicious to boot. I layered it in and topped it with sautéed kale and the whole beautiful party is in the oven. This sauce on its own over a bowl of pasta or noodles would be an exceptionally satisfying and protein filled dish.

Cheesy White-Bean Béchamel Sauce

1c baby Lima or Canelini beans, cooked, drained

1/2c cashew nut milk

1T mellow white miso

2t brown rice vinegar

2t ume vinegar

2t Dijon mustard

1/4t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

1T coconut oil

1T extra virgin olive oil

2T nutritional yeast

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In a blender or vitamix, add all of the ingredients and blend until super smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasonings as neccesary.

Sautéed Lacinato Kale with Garlic & Fire Ball Peppers

Everything was local, purchased from the Greenfield Farmer’s market, the Lacinato Kale, the Fire Ball Pepper, the garlic…. This red pepper adds a low-heat kick, which is delicious, and not overbearing. I ate the whole bunch myself! Any kale will do, but there is something exceptional delicious about this particular variety.

Sautéed Lacinato Kale with Garlic & Fire Ball Peppers

1 bunch Lacinato kale, washed, trimmed, and torn into bite size pieces

1 clove garlic, minced

½ Fire Ball or Cherry Bomb pepper, thinly sliced

2T Extra virgin olive oil

1/4t salt

In a large skillet heat up the olive oil over medium high heat and sauté 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. I like to place mine in a bowl with a plate over top so that it continues to steam slightly, makes it even more tender. Serve immediately. Also delicious at room temperature.

Wheat-Free Pumpkin Spice Bread

YUM.

Pumpkin Spice Bread

wheat-free

1-1/2c barley flour

3/4c maple sugar

1/2c walnuts – Optional

1t baking soda

1t baking powder

1/2t salt

1T cinnamon

1/4t nutmeg

1/4t allspice

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1/4c coconut oil

3/4c pumpkin puree

1″ piece of ginger, grated

3/4 nut milk

1t vanilla

1 lemon- juiced

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Topping:

3T maple sugar

1t cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a loaf pan or 6 muffin tin/ containers.

Prepare the dry ingredients by sifting them into a large mixing bowl; the barley flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, spices, and maple sugar. Add in the chopped walnuts if using.

In another small bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients; the pumpkin, oil, grated ginger nut milk, and the vinegars.

Mix the wet into the dry and pour into a well-oiled pan. Mix only until just incorporated- do not over mix.

Sprinkle the maple sugar over the entire surface of the loaf and bake for 35 minutes. Rotate the pan and continue to bake for another 8-10 minutes.

Let cool in the pan on a rack for 15 minutes and then remove the loaf entirely to the rack to let cool. Once cool, you can place it back into the loaf pan.

*For the loaf, let it cool thoroughly before attempting to slice into it.

Broccoli Mushroom Onion Black Olive Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Lasagna with Red Sauce

I love lasagna. I love it. I have my Nana’s small and large lasagna pan. Usually by the fall I am ready for some serious food- This. Is. Serious. Food. I created a twist on my favorite tofu ricotta with some little local beauty peppers, including a cherry bomb, my favorite of all peppers. It makes for a subtly spicy kick that is perfect with the creaminess of the lasagna. In all lasagnas, its about the components. The sauce, the filling (tofu cheese), the veggies. I make it so each component has a ton of flavor so when put together, they all make this symphony of flavors. You can use this recipe as a guide but it is so easy to change out the components to suit your taste.

I have used the Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Filling and the basic Red Sauce recipe for two of the components. I will list the others in recipe below but feel free to create!!!

Components:

Sautéed Broccoli & Garlic
basic Red Sauce
1 box of lasagna noodles, cooked ( I used Gluten-Free)
Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Filling
Mushroom, Onion & Black Olive Filling
Vegan Cheese* optional ( I use Monteray Jack by Have a Heart, shredded)

Putting it together:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
ladle in about 1 cup of fresh sauce in the bottom of the baking dish
place down one layer of noodles
layer in the tofu filling
layer in broccoli
layer in noodles
layer in sauce- some vegan cheese if using
layer in mushroom filling
layer in noodles
layer in sauce
layer in tofu filling
layer in last layer of noodles
cover the top layer with fresh sauce
top with vegan cheese if using
Cover with tin foil and bake for 45-55 minutes.

Mushroom, Onion & Black Olive Filling

1 pound of Crimini or Button mushrooms, dry dusted, trimmed and cut into quarters or slices

1 medium onion, small dice

1 clove garlic, minced

1 can organic pitted black olives

2T mirin or white wine (mirin is sweet)

2T extra virgin olive oil

1/2t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

1/4t red pepper flakes

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Heat up a large cast iron pan or skillet over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until golden and aromatic. Add in the mushrooms. Pan fry until the sear and get browned on all sides. Season with the salt and peppers. dd in the mirin and sauté off heat for a minute then resume back over the heat. Add in the olives, crushing them with your hand as you add them in. Cook until heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Sautéed Broccoli with garlic

1 bunch broccoli, washed, trimmed, and cut into smaller size pieces

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4t cayenne pepper flakes

2T extra virgin olive oil

1/4t salt

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In a large skillet (could be the same pan from above) heat up the olive oil over medium high heat and sauté the garlic just until golden brown. Add the salt, red pepper, and then add the broccoli. With a fork or a pair of tongs, move the broccoli around the pan cooking until bright green and tender. Remove from the heat. When cooled, coarsely chop the broccoli and set aside.

Tofu Ricotta Cheese Filling

Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Cheese Filling

This stuff is C R A Z Y G O O D.…..I am planning on adding fresh steamed broccoli to this for my mini lasagna!!! I will post the entire recipe when it’s made! Perfect for stuffing pasta shells or manicotti, making mini lasagna roll ups or a full on plate of lasagna. The color of the peppers make this exceptionally beautiful and the cherry bomb pepper adds a hint of spice without overwhelming the palate.

Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Cheese Filling

1/2 Pound tofu- blanched

1 small red pepper, seeded

1small cherry bomb pepper, de-stemmed

1 clove garlic, smashed, minced

3T extra virgin olive oil

1 heaping T mellow white miso

1/4c nutritional yeast

2t brown rice vinegar

1t ume vinegar

1 heaping T sesame tahini

1c cooked veggies like spinach, broccoli, or kale-steamed and pressed or drained well (all water out) OR sautéed with garlic and 1t olive oil *optional

1/2c vegan mozzarella or favorite vegan cheese (or a blend)

1/2t black pepper

In a bowl, crumble or smash the tofu with a fork or fingers with all of the other ingredients. Add the vegan cheese and the chopped steamed / cooked veggies. Mix well, taste and adjust seasonings.

Hearty Split Pea Soup with Brown Rice and Carrots

Split Pea Soup with Brown Rice and Carrots

This is a meal in a bowl- SO hearty and satisfying. Amazing way to use up left over cooked rice also! You can find smoked salt in the bulk section of the market or it also available online at specialty purveyors- it gives it an earthy delicious flavor paired well with the chipotle. Add sautéed or cooked greens in at the end of cooking for added flavor, texture and nutrition. I eat this shit morning noon and night.

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

2c green split peas, cooked

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1 large carrot, cut into rounds

1” piece of fresh turmeric, grated

2t chipotle powder

1/2t fresh ground black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper

1t smoked salt

1 1/2c cooked long grain brown rice

3T extra virgin olive oil

6c boiling water

1t pink salt to taste

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Bring 6c of water to a boil.

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In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until golden and soft. Add the peas, smoked salt, chipotle powder, black and red pepper. Add the peas, mixing them into the vegetables. Add the boiling water and the cooked rice. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Th consistency is personal, for a heartier, stew like soup, cook longer with more water but let most of the water cook out. Be sure to adjust your seasonings. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the carrots rounds, partially cover the soup so that they will steam/cook in the soup but still hold their shape.

White Girl Pho / Asian Noodle Soup

I made this a bit differently last night- I am really into a flavorful clear broth lately without the bits of onion, garlic and ginger floating around to interrupt that- so what I did- I sautéed the greens and mushrooms in garlic and removed them from the pan. I added in more oil, the onions, garlic, ginger and fresh grated turmeric, salt and pepper, tamari and sesame oil. I added hot water and let this simmer for about 15 minutes then strained the aromatic veggies out, leaving a perfectly delicious clear broth to which I added back the main players I wanted in the soup (over medium high heat); carrots, tofu, the rice noodles and at the end, the sautéed greens and mushrooms. Was SPECTACULAR.

The Vegan Love Project

This is a favorite go to soup. I LOVE the flavor of this soup. It reminds me of a macrobiotic soup I used to get in Los Angeles at a restaurant called Inaka. They would use glass noodles, also gluten free. I use rice vermicelli, but glass noodles (mung bean noodles) or any other rice pasta of your choosing would be equally delicious. I adore the Japanese sweet yams, they are white in flesh color and subtly sweet. This is a fast, awesome, satisfying, winter treat.

Asian Noodle Soup

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1 small carrot, thinly cut on the bias

1 stalk celery, thinly cut on the bias

1 honkin’ large handful of baby spinach

1/2 pound of tofu, cut into small cubes

1 small japanese yam or sweet potato, thinly cut on the bias

1t hot sesame oil

3T olive…

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