vegan comfort food – Page 2 – The Vegan Love Project

Cheddar Cheesy Broccoli Soup

Cheddar Cheesy Broccoli Soup

1 head broccoli, medium dice, florets and stalks separated

1 onion, medium dice

1c cooked brown rice *optional

1t chipotle powder

1/2t smoked salt or pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

1T raw agave or maple syrup

1T coconut or olive oil

4c water

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Raw Cheddar Cheesy Sauce

1/2c raw cashews

1/4c water

½ red bell pepper

1t chipotle powder

2T nutritional yeast

1T coconut oil or olive oil

1T mellow miso paste

1t brown rice vinegar

1t ume vinegar or lemon juice

Salt and black pepper to taste

In a blender or food processor, place all of the ingredients and blend until smooth. This can be stored as a dip, a spread or as a cream base for soups!

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil (if you should need more water)

Soup Base:

In a large soup pot, add the oil and sauté the onions with the broccoli stalks until golden and soft. Add the salt, black and red pepper, sweetener and rice if using, sautéing for another 4-5 minutes. Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli florets, reduce heat and continue to simmer until the broccoli has softened and turned bright green. Turn the heat off. With an immersion blender or in batches in a blender, partially puree the broccoli soup; I like to see some broccoli. Add in desired amount of cheddar cheese cream- 1/4c or more and blend well. Serve immediately with more nutritional yeast.

*Caution: blending hot liquids can be extremely dangerous. Fill the blender only half way and proceed in batches if necessary.

Kichari (Lentil Rice DELICIOUSNESS)

Ellen’s Kichari (lentil & rice porridge)

Kichari means mixture, usually of two grains. “Kichari may well be the most perfect therapeutic recipe of all because it detoxifies the entire system, while kindling the body’s digestive fires called agni.” This recipe is nourishing and easy to digest, and can literally be paired down to just the rice and beans and still be utterly satisfying. It can be eaten more on the soupy side or as a thicker porridge. SO.SIMPLE.SO.GOOD.

Wheat-free, Gluten-Free

1c red lentils or yellow (dahl), washed and drained

1c white basmati rice

1 medium onion, diced

1t turmeric

1T fresh ginger, sliced or grated/ or 1t dried

1t mustard seeds

1t cumin seeds or 2t ground cumin

1/2t black pepper

1t pink salt

3T extra virgin olive oil

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil, more if needed

In a large soup pot, toast the spices (cumin, mustard seeds, pepper, turmeric, salt and ginger- if using dried) until aromatic. Add the olive oil and sauté the onions, and fresh ginger until golden and soft. Add the rice and coat well in the spice mixture. Add in the lentils and cover with the hot water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes, uncovered, adding additional water if needed and or desired, stirring occasionally. In the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Adjust the seasonings before serving. If there is excess water, cover the pot to allow it to be absorbed. Serve optionally with fresh cilantro.

Sweet Tapioca Pudding

I love this pudding, super creamy, super yummy and super comforting. Play with the flavors by adding chocolate or using coconut milk in place of or in addition to the cashew nut milk. You could use another non-dairy milk but I find the cashews to lend a creaminess and a fullness that another nut or even a soy or rice milk may not offer. SUPER FRICKEN YUM.

Sweet Tapioca Pudding

3-1/2c cashew nut milk

¼c agave syrup or organic cane sugar

1/4c Organic Tapioca Pearls

1/4t pink salt

1t vanilla

In a smallish pot, place all of the ingredients except the vanilla and bring to a gentle boil, stirring often as to prevent the pearl from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until most of the milk has been absorbed, the pudding has thickened and gotten creamy and the pearls have lost their opaqueness. Stir in the vanilla and turn off the heat and let steam, covered for 10 minutes or so. Remove to a glass container or serving bowl and refrigerate until completely cooled.

*Use coconut milk in place or in addition to the cashew nut milk for a delicious variation

Not So Basic Off-Da-Hook Mushroom Gravy

I can always make a basic gravy. I use the pan after pan frying tofu or tempeh in garlic, usually with a cornmeal coating so when I was challenged to make a vegan gravy that was of equal if not greater to taste than a traditional turkey based gravy….IT WAS ON. I can’t believe the way this gravy came out. The combination of mushrooms, including the super savory umami flavor of porcinis….this gravy is OFF DA HOOK. Gluten free, and really easy to make. This over smashed potatoes was I N S A NE. If you are not a cooking type of person, just sauté everything together and put it in the blender, otherwise add your kitchen finesse and flare…it really is awesome and fail proof. Everything is organic and local if possible.

Not So Basic Off Da Hook Mushroom Gravy

1 large shallot, small dice

1 clove garlic, smashed, minced

1/4t chipotle powder

1/4c olive oil

2T GF tamari

1 1/2c mixed mushrooms, crimini, portobello, button, shitake, evenly and thinly sliced

2T dried porcini, – rehydrated for 10 minutes in 1c of hot water- reserve the soak water

3T cornmeal

3T nutritional yeast or more if needed

Herbs- optional; thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley, finely minced

Up to 1c of additional water or non-dairy milk for blending

1T mirin or 1/4c white wine

1/4t pink salt

1/4t black pepper

In a large, hot, skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil, shallots, garlic and chipotle powder and sauté just until golden. Add the fresh mushrooms and also add the rehydrated porcinis (squeezed of any excess water) and sauté until golden and brown, about 5-6 minutes. At this point, you can remove ½ of the mushroom mix if desired you will add them back in to your finished gravy at the end. For smooth gravy, skip this step and you will blend all of the mushrooms.

Add in the mirin or wine and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Add the cornmeal in and incorporate well into the mushroom mixture, about 2 minutes. From here, add in the porcini broth and about a 1/2c of water/nondairy milk.

Add in the nutritional yeast and stir well. If too thick, add water as needed.

Place the mix into a blender and process until totally smooth- adjusting if too thick. If in the event, too much liquid is added, make up for it with nutritional yeast.

Add in the fresh herbs, the reserved mushrooms if saved and serve immediately.

AAAA-MAZING. Easily re-heated.

Fusili with Broccoli & Garlic

Pasta With Broccoli & Garlic

1 head broccoli, washed, cut, trimmed into bite size pieces

1/4c fresh parsley/ basil *optional

1/4c +1 T XVO

1T vegan butter

2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

¼ fresh chili pepper, minced or pinch red pepper flakes

1/2t pink salt

1/4t fresh ground black pepper

1 pound of preferred pasta- I use Gluten Free.

In a large heated frying pan over medium heat, add the 2T of olive oil, hot pepper and 1/2 of the garlic and sauté just until golden, not browned. Add the broccoli and toss in the pan until well incorporated and turns bright green and tender- about 5-10 minutes- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside off heat.

In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil, remaining garlic and sauté just until golden. Add the cooked pasta and season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked broccoli back in and toss in the butter.

Chop up the fresh parsley or basil just before serving and toss into the mix.

Serve immediately topped with vegan parmigiana or nutritional yeast.

FRICKEN DELICIOUS.

Spicy Split Pea Soup

I make this soup at least two to three times a month- It is truly my comfort food- my Dad LOVES this soup. Chipotle powder is what gives this soup its’ smokey flavor. Chipotle powder is a smoked dried Jalapeno with a delicious hot smokey/sweet flavor and is a spice that is always in my kitchen. If you can find liquid smoke, or smoke salt, or another natural smoke flavoring, it adds another layer of tremendous flavor that is typically found in traditional meat based split pea soup. Today I didn’t blend it at all, so I cut the vegetables uniformly. I also added a small thin skinned potato, diced in the last 15 minutes of cooking 1) cuz I had it in the house and 2) potatoes are YUMMY.

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

SPLIT PEA SOUP

3T olive oil

1c green split peas

1 small red or yellow onion, medium diced

1 small potato, medium diced *opt

1 small carrot, medium diced

1 veggie bouillon (or replace water with veggie broth)

4c water, pre-boiled

1t chipotle powder

1/2t cayenne pepper or 1 fresh hot pepper or chili

Salt and pepper to taste

2T Fresh parsley- to be added in at the end of cooking time

Heat up 6 cups water, in case you need more.

In a soup pot, heat up the olive oil. Add the onions and sauté until golden. Add the carrots and cook for a minute or so before adding the peas. Add in the spices and stir until well incorporated. Add the peas, cover with the hot water, and add the bouillon.

Let simmer for 45-60 minutes or until everything has softened and the peas have broken down. If you prefer your soup unblended- be sure to cut the veggies small and uniformly so they are pleasant on the spoon. **If blending, you can partially blend or puree the mixture to the desired consistency.

Season to taste.

**Use caution when blending hot liquids

FOR PUREED SOUP:

In batches, in a blender or vitamix*, puree the split pea soup. Adjust the seasonings before serving.

*Caution: blending hot liquids can be extremely dangerous. Fill the blender only half way and proceed in batches if necessary.

Roasted Hot and Spicy Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Hot & Spicy, Sweet Potatoes

2-3 sweet potatoes, sliced on a diagonal or cubed

1 onion, sliced

1 clove garlic, sliced

3T maple syrup

3-4T extra virgin olive oil

1 hot red pepper, sliced

1/2t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

Toss all ingredients in a large bowl; making sure everything is well coated. Place in a shallow baking dish or roasting pan and put in the oven for 30 minutes, then toss and baste the vegetables with the roasting juices and continue to roast for an additional 20-30 minutes. Delicious warm or cold.

Asian Cole Slaw

Asian Cole Slaw

Deliciously crisp and fresh tasting- make this and no one will know that there is anything “special” about this slaw other than it’s awesome taste.

1 small green cabbage, thinly sliced, or shredded (4CUPS)

1 carrot, grated

Salt

Dressing:

1/4c Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1T Hot Sesame Oil

3T Apple Cider Vinegar

2T Agave Nectar, or maple syrup

2t brown rice vinegar

1t ume vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

2T toasted sesame seeds

In a large bowl, place the shredded cabbage and salt it generously, allow it to sit for several hours, even overnight with a plate on top. This will release the liquid in the cabbage, which you will drain out. This removes any bitterness and makes the cabbage more digestible and more tender.

After draining, add in the other ingredients and toss well. Serve chilled.

Chickpea Loaf…it’s what’s for dinner…and lunch

ChickPea Loaf

Super easy to make, great for using up leftover grains and beans. Delicious cold as a sandwich the next day!

2c-cooked chickpeas

1 1/2c cooked brown rice

3 slices toast- made into breadcrumbs or 1-1/2c loosely packed breadcrumbs

1 medium onion, minced

1/4c nutritional yeast

1/4c ketchup

1/4c extra virgin olive oil

1/2c walnuts, chopped *opt

1/8t-1/4t-cayenne pepper or chipotle powder (I LOVE Chipotle Powder)

1/4t ground black pepper

1/2t turmeric

1/2t salt

up to 1/4c water

Topping:

3T ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, rice, breadcrumbs, onions, yeast, ketchup, oil, nuts*, salt, red and black pepper. Mix with a wooden spoon or clean hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Pour out the mixture into a lightly oiled loaf pan. With the back of a wooden spoon, fill out the pan. Top the loaf with the remaining ketchup.

Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

Serve with smashed potatoes and sautéed greens; broccoli or kale or a simple salad.

Killer Chickpea Loaf Sandwich

Sandwich bread- (I use whole grain Ezekiel)

fresh baby greens

vegan mayo

1″ slice of left over loaf

sriracha sauce

ketchup

salt and pepper