Vegan Cuban | Vegan Recipes for Vegans and Vegetarians: The Blooming Platter in Virginia Beach, VA

Yield: 2 servings (or more if served with other dishes)

This satisfying island-fusion dish is beautiful and beautifully balanced. It only serves 2 because you will want to devour it all. Note: I like the larger amount of spice.

1/2 large yellow onion, diced

2 to 3 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced

Sea salt

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (I buy low sodium)

1 to 2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 to 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1-15.5 ounce can coconut milk (I use light)

4 big handfuls baby spinach and kale leaves

1 tablespoon lime juice or something acidic (I used the brine from homemadr escabeche)

Garnishes: shredded carrots, sliced red onions, sliced green onions, halved cherry tomatoes, etc.

Accompaniments: plantain chips (I buy at Trader Joe’s)

Barely cover the bottom of a large skillet with water, bring to a simmer over medium heat, add onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt, and saute until tender, adding more water if necessary. Stir in black beans, spices, and coconut milk, and heat through, stirring. Add half of greens and stir to wilt. Follow with remaining greens. Stir in lime juice or other acid, and serve, garnished as desired, with plantain chips.

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Yield: 2 servings

These deliciously different–but not bizarre–nachos substitute plantains for corn chips and infuse the tasty black bean topping with a hint of coconut milk, orange, and spice from my new obsession: Sizchuan Hot Chili Oil. No one will judge if you drizzle more of the addicting oil over the top.

1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1-15 ounce can seasoned vegan black beans, including juice

3 ears grilled corn, kernels cut from cob

1 cup lightly packed baby spinach or kale leaves

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Sea salt to taste

1/4 to 1/3 coconut milk (I use lite, but regular is more flavorful)

1 generous tablespoon Sizchuan Hot Chili Oil, made with blood orange-infused olive oil (see my hack below)

2 servings packaged plantain chips

Toppings: white vegan cheese like mozarella, halved tri-color cherry tomatoes, vegan sour cream, minced cilantro

In large skillet over medium heat, dry saute onion, stirring frequently, until starting to soften and color. Add all remaining ingredients, except chips and toppings, and cook, continuing to stir frequently, until onion is softened, greens are wilted, mixture is heated through, and flavors are married. Divide chips between 2 plates, spoon half of bean mixture over each, top as desired, and serve immediately.

Note: After topping with cheese, you can run nachos under broiler or pop into mic for 30 seconds before adding remaining toppings.

Hot Chili Oil Hack

1-8 ounce jar Lao Gan Ma: Spicy Chili Crisp (I purchase at Kroger or online)

4 to 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced and softened by heating for 30 seconds in microwave

1/4 cup neutral vegetable oil

1/4 cup blood orange-infused olive oil (or another 1/4 cup oil + zest of 1/2 large orange

1/2 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste

Decant Spicy Chili Crisp into a larger jar, stir in remaining ingredients, cover, and chill. Stir before using; heat if desired. Delicious on virtually everything savory.