Tag: Vegan

Vegan Chili

Soups & Stews, Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of dried beans such as pinto or kidney
  • 2 large spanish onions diced
  • 2 large sweet peppers diced (yellow and red preferred)
  • 1 poblano chili fire roasted and diced
  • 1 large or 2 medium carrots finely diced
  • 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • ⅓ cup of pepita (mexican pumpkin) seeds toated
  • 3 cloves garlic (1 diced, 2 whole)
  • 2 dried guajillo chilis
  • 2 Tbsp cumin
  • 1 Tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp hot paprika (or less cayenne chili powder to taste)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 stems of fresh thyme
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp of baking soda
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Rinse beans and remove any rocks, soak overnight with 4–6 cups of water in a deep sauce pan or pot
  2. Bring beans and soaking liquid to a boil with baking soda, bay leaves, thyme, guajillo chilis, 2 cloves of garlic whole, both paprikas, ½ the cumin
  3. Reduce to simmer and cook until beans are starting to get tender
  4. Meanwhile sauté onions in olive oil on medium-low heat until wilted and starting to get translucent (about 10 mins)
  5. Add sweet pepper, poblano, and carrot and cook until tender (about 10 more mins)
  6. Add 1 clove of diced garlic last and cook another minute or two
  7. Add tomatoes and simmer at least 35–45 min
  8. Season vegetables and beans separately to taste
  9. When beans are just tender remove bay leaves, thyme, and dried chilis
  10. Remove beans from broth with a spider leaving garlic behind and add them to the veggie mixture
  11. Add toasted pepitas to the bean broth purée well, and strain mixture into the veggie mix
  12. Warm through and serve with rice or bread and mexican crema on the side

Photo by Sally Crossthwaite via Flickr used with CC Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives license

Hummus

Appetizers & Sides, Vegetarian

Makes 1½ cups

Ingredients

  • 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

Directions

  1. In a food processor, puree the chickpeas and garlic with the olive oil, lemon juice, tahini (if using), cumin, and ¾ teaspoon salt until smooth and creamy. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water as necessary to achieve the desired consistency.
  2. Transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the paprika before serving.

Photo by Samira via Flickr used with CC Attribution, Non Commercial, Share Alike license

Curried Tofu

Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of peanut oil (can be substituted with canola or grape seed oil)
  • 1 large onion peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of curry powder
  • 1 can of unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 block of tofu cut into ¾ inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, or to taste
  • Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Put oil in a big skillet on medium-high. A minute later add onion and brown for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, making sure not to burn them. Add curry, stirr and cook for 30 seconds.
  2. Add coconut milk, stir and bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Add the soy sauce, stir then add the tofu and cook for about 3 minutes. Add cayenne pepper to taste. Serve over basmati rice.

Photo by Sarah R via Flickr used with CC Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives license

Chilled Cucumber Mint Soup

Soups & Stews, Vegetarian

Serves  4

Ingredients

  • 4 cucumbers, peeled and seeded
  • 1 small or ½ large clove garlic
  • 1 cup plain (or soy) yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
  • 4 scallions, white and green parts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ¾ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
  • ¼ cup water
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Cut 1 cucumber into small dice, and set aside for garnish. Cut others into large chunks. Combine cucumber chunks, garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, and water in a blender, and puree until smooth.
  2. Add scallions and mint leaves, reserving some of the mint for garnish, and puree briefly. Season with salt and pepper, and add more lemon juice if a tarter flavor is desired.
  3. Chill until ready to serve. Stir well before serving, and ladle into bowls or mugs, garnishing each serving with a big spoonful of diced cucumber and a sprig of mint.

Photo by Mike Licht via Flickr used with CC Attribution license

Cauliflower Parsnip Puree

Appetizers & Sides, Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds cauliflower (about 1 large head), trimmed, stems and florets cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces parsnips (about 2 medium), peeled and cut into large dice
  • 1 medium garlic clove, smashed
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • White pepper
  • 1½ cups low-sodium chicken (or vegetable) stock

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the cauliflower, parsnips, garlic, measured salt, and pepper to taste and stir to coat with the oil.
  2. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are knife tender, about 20 minutes.
  3. Transfer the mixture, including the liquid, to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Process until smooth. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed, then transfer to a serving bowl.

Adapted from Chow. Photo by Nick Saltmarsh via Flickr used with CC Attribution license

Barley Tofu Salad

Pasta & Grains, Salads, Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 package of extra firm tofu (12 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • fresh ginger
  • Dark sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 cup uncooked barley
  • 1 lb. green beans cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 1½ lbs. of large shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 bunches of scallions
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of honey

Directions

  1. Drain tofu and place in a dish towel and a heavy skillet or book on it to drain water for about 45 minutes. Then, cut into 1 inch cubes and pour marinade over it and let stand for 25 minutes.
  2. Prepare marinade for tofu with brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of fresh minced ginger, 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil and garlic clove minced.
  3. Preheat oven to 375˚. Once tofu has marinated, bake for about 30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. Cool and set aside.
  4. To prepare barley: heat one teaspoon of sesame oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Add barley and toast for about 3 minutes stirring frequently. Add 5 cups of water and ½ teaspoon of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes or until barley is tender. Drain, cool and set in a large bowl.
  5. Cook green beans for about 3 minutes or until crisp-tender, drain and run under cold water. Add to bowl with barley.
  6. Slice mushrooms thinly and cook on a pan with sesame oil. Add to bowl with barley. Slice scallions thinly. Add to barley and green beans.
  7. Combine 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, honey, 2 teaspoons of minced ginger, 1 minced garlic in a small bowl stirring with a whisk. Drizzle mixture over barley and other ingredients. Serve warm or chilled.

Green Juice

Drinks

Ingredients

  • 7 Cucumbers
  • 2 Bunches of Celery
  • 3 Green Apples
  • 3 Pears
  • 5–6 Limes (to taste)
  • 1 bunch of Kale (optional)

Directions

  1. Remove any greens from the celery and wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly
  2. Juice all ingredients whole except lime
  3. Squeeze lime into mixture to taste

Variations

Use as a cocktail mixer with Vodka and Seltzer

Photo by Tracy Benjamin via Flickr used with CC Attribution, Non Commercial, No Derivatives license

Roasted Smashed Potatoes

Appetizers & Sides, Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • Red potatoes
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Wash and scrub potatoes well.
  2. Place on a baking sheet with ¾ cups of water, cover in tin foil and bake for 30 min at 500 degree oven on bottom rack. Test for doneness by inserting a knife and making sure it goes through easily.
  3. Let cool for 5 minutes, then press with the bottom of a cup, until mashed flat, about ½” tall.
  4. Toss with lots of olive oil, making sure the oil goes in the nooks and crannies of each potato.
  5. Put back in the 500 degree oven for 15 min in top rack. Switch to bottom rack for another 15 min, until really brown and crispy.
  6. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if available.

Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen. Photo by Mike via Flickr used with CC Attribution, Non Commercial, Share Alike license

Kartoffelsuppe mit Wurst (Potato Soup with Sausage)

Soups & Stews

Eating this dish we’re instantly transported back to Berlin and all those great memories. We set out to recreate this soup and our version is ironically adapted from “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by Deborah Madison. Leave out the sausage if you don’t eat animals, substitute olive oil for butter if you’re vegan.

Ingredients

  • 3 large or 6 medium leeks, finely chopped, white parts only
  • 1½ pounds Yellow Finn or Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed well
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 medium fresh pre-cooked smoked sausage (Frankfurter Würstel / Wiener) sliced in ½” pieces
  • Water and a little (optional) milk
  • Fresh croutons (toast some baguette slices with olive oil)
  • Fresh chives chopped finely for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil for garnish
  • Salt & black pepper

Directions

  1. Chop the leeks in half and cut into small half moons then set in water to soak
  2. Quarter the potatoes length-wise then slice them thinly
  3. Melt the butter in a wide soup pot or dutch oven, add the leeks and potatoes and cook over low heat covered for 10 minutes
  4. Add 7 cups of water or a 50:50 mixture of water and fresh vegetable stock and 1½ teaspoons of salt, bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer partially covered for about 35 minutes (until the potatoes are soft and falling apart)
  5. Blend thoroughly, taste and season for salt and pepper. Add a little milk or cream just to add a bit of richness and body and add more water if the soup is too thick.
  6. Serve with crouton, chopped chive, sausage, and a drizzle of very good olive oil.

Lemony Chickpea Salad

Salads

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons pure olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 2 carrots, halved
  • 1 celery rib, halved crosswise, plus 4 small celery ribs, finely diced
  • 1 pound dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained
  • 4 rosemary sprigs and 4 thyme sprigs, tied together with string
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • Finely shredded zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1½ teaspoons finely chopped peperoncini
  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¾ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions

  1. In a large soup pot, heat the pure olive oil. Add the quartered yellow onion, carrots and halved celery rib and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are golden, about 10 minutes. Add the drained chickpeas, the herb sprig bundle and enough water to cover by 2 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over moderately low until the chickpeas are tender, about 1½ hours. Add a large pinch of salt and pepper and cook the chickpeas for 10 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and cool for 15 minutes, then drain the chickpeas. Discard the herb sprigs, onion, carrots and celery.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, soak the red onion in the vinegar for 15 minutes. Drain, discarding the vinegar. Return the onion to the bowl and add the diced celery, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, chopped rosemary, oregano and peperoncini. Add the chickpeas and olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Fold in the parsley and serve.

Adapted from Tom Colicchio via Food & Wine