November 30, 2017December 1, 2017 by betsy

Vegan Smokey Bean, Pumpkin, and Kale Chili

Yield: approximately 10 1-cup servings

I am happy to share another recipe that uses a traditional holiday ingredient–pumpkin–in a dish that bears no resemblance to Thanksgiving or Christmas foods. I love holiday food as much as the next gal, but enjoy a break in between.

As a chili recipe, I don’t think this one needs a lot of preamble. However, I would say that what sets this recipe apart from the thousands of chili recipes out there, if I do say so, is the beautiful and careful balance of flavors–tangy, hot, sweet, and ever-so-slightly bitter–and textures–chewy, silky, and creamy. The velvety pumpkin soothes the acidity of the tomatoes and chilies in a magical way.

Plus it is bursting with healthful ingredients. And the whole pot is under 2,000 calories or less than 200 calories per 1 cup serving. That’s a whole lot of low calorie, low fat goodness.

Warm up with a cup!

Vegan Smokey Bean, Pumpkin, and Kale Chili

Note: All cans should be approximately 15 to 15.5 ounces:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 bell pepper diced (yellow, orange, or red)

3 to 4 celery hearts, finely diced

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

3 to 4 large cloves garlic, minced

1 can fire-roasted tomatoes

1 chili in adobo sauce

1 tablespoon maple syrup

2 cans beans, rinsed and drained, any kind (I like a tri-bean mix plus cannelini beans)

1 can corn, drained

Optional: 1/2 bunch cilantro, tied with kitchen twine

1 can pumpkin puree

1 can green enchilada sauce, medium heat

1 package taco seasoning

1 tablespoon ground cumin

12 ounces beer or nonalcoholic beer

12 cups lighty packed baby kale (I don’t remove stems, but you can)

Up to 1 cup water

Optional garnishes: vegan sour cream, vegan grated cheese, sliced green onion, fresh or pickled sliced jalapeno, sprigs of fresh cilantro, roasted and lightly salted pepitas, corn chips, etc.

Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot like a Dutch oven over medium to medium-high. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and a pinch of sea salt. Saute, stirring frequently, until softened. Add garlic, and saute, stirring, for 30 seconds. Then, simply add all remaining ingredients, except kale, bring to a light boil, lower heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Add water to think if necessary. Remove cilantro. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in handfuls of kale and allow to wilt. Serve in cups, mugs, or bowls garnished as desired.

October 31, 2017November 1, 2017 by betsy

Vegan Black Bean Pumpkin Casserole

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

There is really not much that needs to be said about this addicting dish, which is even good at room temperature. I am so busy at school that I don’t have time to leave my classroom to heat my lunch, and this casserole is still a new favorite. Here’s a tip: life is too short to wrestle with a butternut squash, so my recommendation is to splurge and purchase pre-cut chunks of the squash. On the other hand, every family budget is different, so do what makes sense. I am frugal about MANY things; cutting up a butternut squash is not one of them.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 large coves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
16 ounces soy crumbles or diced chicken flavored seitan (or 8 ounces faux meat plus 8 ounces cooked rice)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) vegan cream cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded vegan cheddar or cheddar-jack blend
1 package taco seasoning or 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or chili powder, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups roasted butternut squash chunks (spray 1-inch chunks with non-stick spray and roast at 450 degrees for 10 minutes on each side)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-15.5 ounce can corn, drained
1/2-15.5 ounce can pureed pumpkin

Topping:
2 cups or so small Fritos
1/2 cup shredded vegan cheddar or cheddar-jack blend

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sautee until tender. Add garlic and saute for another minute, adding up to 1/2 cup water if mixture gets too dry. Add soy crumbles and saute until lightly browned. (If using seitan, stir in with beans and corn.) Stir in cheeses, heat until melted, and then stir in all remaining ingredients, combining well. Spoon mixture into an oiled casserole dish, top with Fritos, sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until heated through and top is lightly browned. Serve immediately.

Note: Reheat any leftovers in the oven to maintain crunchiness of topping. You may freeze the recipe before topping. When ready to bake, simply add the topping and bake as directed.

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 by betsy

Vegan Loaded Mexican Cornbread

Hosting a fiesta at the intersection of Chili Cornbread and Cornbread Casserole is my Loaded Mexican Cornbread. Yes, it is bursting with the unmistakable pungency of Hatch green chilies (I prefer mild over hot), but it stops short of beans and soy crumbles. Instead I load it up with corn kernels, sliced black olives, green onions, sour cream, melted butter, and cheddar-jack blend, all vegan, of course. My first attempt was too dense and moist, if you can believe that’s possible. This version is perfection, redolent of Adobo, cumin, garlic, and oregano. Enjoy it by itself with a glass of cold, non-dairy milk–or a beer–or as a side with a crisp salad or not-too-heavy soup.

I cup naturally vegan cornbread mix (I use Martha White)
1 cup naturally vegan baking mix (I use Bisquick)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
1/3 cup vegan sour cream
1 teaspoon Adobo sauce from can of chilies in Adobo
1/3 cup non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-15.5 ounce can corn, drained
4 ounce can sliced black olives, drained
4 ounce can chopped green chilies, mild, drained
2 green onions, sliced
1 cup shredded vegan cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided (I use So Delicious cheddar-jack blend)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 10-inch skillet with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, mix cornbread mix, baking mix, baking powder, spices, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together melted butter, Adobo, sour cream, non-dairy milk, vinegar, and baking soda. Add wet mixture to the dry ingredients, a third at a time. Stir in the corn, black olives, green chiles, green onion, and 2/3 cup shredded cheese. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared skillet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup cheese.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until top is browned, the center springs back when pressed down, and a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm or room temp.

October 17, 2017October 17, 2017 by betsy

Vegan Tex-Mex Sweet ‘Tater Skins
(with black beans and a Chipotle-Lime Sour Cream Sauce)

Yield: 8 potato skins

Powerful cravings seem to be inspiring a lot of my recipes lately. This one was based on a dish spotted on the online menu of The Hound’s Tale in Williamsburg, VA: sweet potato and black bean tacos.

However, not feeling like I wanted the additional calories of taco shelsl, it occured to me that the potato “shells” would be the perfect containers–like cute little boats–and these delicious, spicy, but not-too-firey, potato skin boats were born. An optional Frito scoop garnish nods in the tortilla direction.

Easy and quick, other than baking the potatoes, you can bulk them up many ways by adding additional ingredients like sauteed onion, garlic, and bell peppers for more of a fajita style. But I like them just like they are.

Hungry though you may be, I would advise against microwaving the potatoes or skipping the extra 10-minute skin crisping step. I promise the texture will be worth it.

4 medium-small sweet potatoes, scrubbed and lightly pricked all over with a fork

1/2 cup shredded vegan cheddar or cheddar-jack cheese blend (I use the So Delicious brand cheddar-jack variety) + optional 1/2 cup additional cheese

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

4 cups moderately firmly packed baby kale, lightly steamed (I microwave it for 1 minute in a medium bowl)

1-15.5 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

6 green onions, thinly sliced (optional: reserve 2 of the sliced onions for garnish)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Chipotle-Lime Sour Cream Sauce (recipe follows)

Garnishes: cilantro sprigs and optional Frito’s scoops and reserved green onions; roasted pumpkin seeds would also be lovely

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place potatoes on an oiled or Silpat-lined baking sheet and spray them lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 1 hour. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. Let potatoes cool enough to handle and then slice in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out flesh leaving a 1/8-inch shell. Spray inside of shells lightly with non-stick spray and return to oven for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, mash potato flesh with 1/2 cup cheese, cumin, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Fold in lightly steamed kale, black beans, and green onions. Season to tasted with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Divide mixture evenly among potato skins, top with optional 1 tablespoon shredded cheese, and bake for 15 minutes. Serve immediately drizzled with Chipotle-Lime Sour Cream sauce and garnished, as desired, with sprigs of cilantro, Frito’s scoops, reserved green onions, and/or roasted pumpkin seeds.

Chipotle-Lime Sour Cream Sauce

1/2 cup vegan sour creeam

1 teaspoon adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chilies in adobo sauce

Zest of 1/2 medium lime

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until completely combined.

June 16, 2017June 20, 2017 by betsy

Vegan Cauliflower Nachos with Best Vegan Queso

Yield: 2 servings

To make these addicting vegan roasted cauliflower nachos, you will need part of a recipe of my amazing Vegan Queso.

I studied a number of recipes, omitting and adding ingredients to suit my palate. I arrived at something so delicious that I think you might use it to replace whatever your current favorite vegan cheese sauce is.

I know that’s a bold statement, and I know everyones’ palates are different, but even my picky omnivorous guy liked it. And him liking it is equivalent to someone else loving it.

Vegetable cooking spray

One head of cauliflower, trimmed and separated into florets

Sea salt to taste

Ground cumin to taste

Smoked paprika to taste

About 1/2 cup my Vegan Queso

2 tablespoons can of chopped green chilies, drained

Assorted toppings: black beans, drained, pico de gallo, sliced green onions, sliced black olives, vegan sour cream, fresh cilantro sprigs, or whatever you love piled on nachos

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a metal baking sheet with vegetable spray and spread cauliflower out on it in one even layer. Spray cauliflower with vegetable spray and sprinkle lightly with sea salt, cumin, and smoked paprika. Roast for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, stir 2 tablespoons chopped green chilies into 1/2 cup vegan queso, or to taste. Remove cauliflower from oven, divide between serving dishes, top with queso, return to oven for two to five minutes, carefully remove, place serving dishes on a plate, and top as desired before presenting.

November 9, 2015November 10, 2015 by betsy

Vegan Beer, Lime, & Chipotle-Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Spicy Baja Sauce

Yield: 6 tacos

In these addicting tacos–seriously, probably a Top 3–I put my own spin on tacos I discovered in Thug Kitchen Cookbook (thanks Dusten Keith for turning me on to this dynamic duo).

Instead of creating a braising liquid and a separate spice rub for roasting the cauliflower and onions, I created one thick marinade that serves as both, and I do actually marinate–rather than braise–the cauliflower and onions before roasting them.

In addition, the Thug Kitchen recipe calls for a cilantro slaw. I chose instead to use shredded purple cabbage as a topping, along with cilantro and halved grape tomatoes, as build-your-own options because some folks–though it’s hard to believe–don’t care for cilantro.

For creaminess, because I do like a creamy contrast to the chewiness and crunchiness, I added my luscious Baja Sauce, a slightly adapted verison of the sauce that accompanies my Baja Tacos in The Blooming Platter Cookbook. This sauce is such a perfect balance of flavors that I like a little both under and over the layers of ingredients in these beauties.

Beer, Lime, Chipotle-Roasted Cauliflower (recipe follows)

Baja Sauce (recipe follows)

8-6 to 8-inch whole wheat tortillas at room temperature, wrapped in foil and heated during last 5 minutes of cauliflower roasting

Toppings:

Shredded purple cabbage

Halved grape tomatoes (I like tri-color)

Fresh cilantro leaves

Roasted and lightly salted pumpkin seeds

Lime wedges

(I am allergic to avocado, but if you’re not, by all means!)

To serve, allow diners to build their own tacos. I like to start with a thin layer of Baja Sauce on a warmed tortilla followed by the roasted cauliflower adn onion, cabbage, grape tomato halves, fresh cilantro leaves, a little more Baja Sauce, and a few roasted pumpkin seeds with a lime wedge on the side for squeezing.

About 1 1 /2 hours before you plan to serve the tacos, prepare cauliflower.
Beer, Lime, Chipotle-Roasted Cauliflower:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons medium-dark, flavorful beer

Juice of 1 small-medium lime

2 to 3 tablespoons Adobo Sauce from a can of Chilies in Adobo

2 to 3 teaspoons maple syrup

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste

1 head cauliflower (I like to use the golden yellow variety), trimmed and broken into florets no larger than a grape

1 medium onion, quartered, and sliced into 1/4-inch wide slivers

In a large microwave-safe bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Add cauliflower and onion and toss well to coat. *Heat for 1 ½ minutes on high in microwave, toss again, and let marinate for about an hour at room temperature. After about 50 minutes, preheat oven to 450 degrees. Toss cauliflower again, drain off any excess liquid (reserve for another use if desired), spread cauliflower and onion in an oiled roasting pan, and roast for about 20 minutes or until tender and beginning to caramelize, stirring once or twice during roasting process. About 5 minutes before cauliflower is finished, place foil-wrapped tortillas in oven to heat through.

*While cauliflower marinates, make Baja Sauce.

Baja Sauce:

1/2 cup vegan sour cream (or your favorite nut-based “crema”)

1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise

Juice of 1/2 small lime

1 heaping tablespoon capers, drained and roughly chopped

1 teaspoon Dijon or stone ground prepared mustard

½ teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably the Mexican variety)

1/3 cup fresh dill weed, finely chopped (or 1 heaping tablespoon dried dill week, not seed)

Optional but delicious: 1 tablespoon chimichurri

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until well-combined. Chill, covered, until serving time.

July 19, 2015July 20, 2015 by betsy

Vegan Migas Mash-Up–A Restaurant Redux

Yield: approximately 4 main dish servings (2 if you are really hungry)

My Migas Mash-Up is more of an idea than it is a recipe because it all depends on what is hanging out in your fridge.

Yesterday, realizing that we were heading into the weekend and that I am leaving town on Tuesday was leaving me feeling a little stressed about what to do with last week’s restaurant leftovers. Food waste makes me crazy and Joe and I dine out about three times a week, often bringing home leftovers. He is not the best about eating his veggies and “carbs”–yes, he’s one of those–and restaurant portions tend to be too large for both of us.

Remembering that among the leftovers were 6 small flour tortillas, I wondered about migas: crisped up tortilla strips, traditionally scrambled with eggs (or tofu for vegans) and other traditional Mexican ingredients. Though, we did have some refried beans and Mexican rice in the mix, there was plenty that was more “New American” which I felt would be compatible with the Mexican flavors, and a little Italian that wasn’t assertively seasoned, so I decided to go for it.

Friday night, we had been to an Italian restaurant where I enjoye bruschetta with chopped tomato, red onion, and slices of grilled eggplant. I removed and diced the eggplant, and transfered the tomato and onion into a separate bowl to use as a kind of pico de gallo over the top. I diced the grilled bed and set it aside with rolled and sliced tortilla strips.

Other odds and ends–all in very small amounts of 2 to 4 tablespoons–in addition to the refried beans, Mexican rice, eggplant, tortillas, and grilled bread included a more risotto-like rice, caramelized onions (sort of fajita style), bronzed carrots (slices of carrot roasted with blackening seasoning and brown sugar), green beans cooked with tomatoes and onion, very thick pureed white bean soup, about 5 sweet potato fries, a couple of artichoke hearts, a dab of roasted red peppers, and half of a veggie burger made with black beans and corn.

I would estimate there was, all together, approximately 2 cups of grain, bean/legume, and vegetable ingredients and about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of tortillas and bread. Following is how I put it all together for a crave-worthy dish that was more than the sum of its parts. And I encourage you to give it a try using whatever leftovers–from restaurants or home-cooked meals–provided all flavors are reasonably compatible and that you have some kind of bread to include: tortillas, baguette, cornbread, vegan naan or flatbread, etc. If onion isn’t included in your leftovers, you might want to included some diced or caramelized sauteed onion. My amalgamation required no additional seasoning other than salt and pepper, but if you need the addition of a couple of spices to bring it all together, by all means!

6 flour tortillas, rolled and sliced

3 bias-cut slices of grilled baguette, cubed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 tablespoon vegan butter

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Approximately 2 cups of vegan sliced and/or diced cooked aromatics (like onion and garlic) vegetables, beans/legumes, and grain-based leftovers

Garnish: vegan sour cream, pico de gallo or salsa, and sprigs of fresh basil or cilantro

In a large cast iron skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add tortillas and baguette and saute for 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly crispy and golden brown. Transfer to a plate in a thin layer so that they remain crispy while you proceed with the preparation. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in the skillet and begin adding ingredients, starting with onion, and adding ingredients of similar textures together–softest last–and heating through for about a minute before adding the next ingredient. Be sure to scrape the “fond” or brown crust off the bottom of the skillet periodically, lowering heat if necessary and avoiding drying out the misture too much; it should be about the consistency of bread pudding. At the very end, fold in the crispy tortillas and bread and heat through. Serve immediately topped with a little vegan sour cream, pico de gallo or salsa, and sprigs of fresh herbs.

July 11, 2015 by betsy

Vegan Black Bean, Kale & Corncake Snack Stacks (with Garlic Aioli)

Yield: 8 Black Bean and Corn Cake Snack Stacks (plus extra black bean filling)

To celebrate the release of the FREE Snackable eBook, the good folks at Go Dairy Free and So Delicious Dairy Free have teamed up again to sponsor the ultimate Snackable Recipe Contest!

My entry is the perfect little 3-bite snack that you can pick up to enjoy. And they are simple to prepare.

Corncakes made with luscious So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk are the tasty foundation for these Snack Stacks. A dab of mock Garlic Aioli–garlic powder whisked together with vegan mayo (raw garlic is a little too much of a good thing here)–anchors a mound of black beans, kale, onion, garlic, and spices cooked into a creamy mélange with So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk.

You can your stacks however you choose. I like carrot shreds, cucumber slices, a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a dusting of smoked paprika. But avocado (to which I am, sadly, highly allergic) and grape tomato halves would be delicious, healthy and colorful too.

1/2 cup yellow corn meal

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 cup plus So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk

2 tablespoons creamed corn (a canned vegan product available at virtually all grocery stores) or 2 additional tablespoons So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk

2 teaspoons vegetable oil divided

2 teaspoons vegan butter, divided

Creamy Black Bean, Kale, and Coconut Milk Filling (recipe follows)

Garlic Aioli (Recipe Follows)

Optional garnishes: carrot shreds; thin cucumber or avocado slices, halved; cherry tomato halves; lime wedges for squeezing; and a sprinkling of smoked paprika

In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, sea salt, baking powder, cumin, smoked paprika, coconut milk, and creamed corn. Spray a large cast iron skillet with nonstick spray, place over medium-high, and heat 1 teaspoon each of oil and vegan butter. As the butter melts, swirl to coat bottom of skillet. Scoop batter, 1 level tablespoon at a time, into skillet and spread to about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Repeat to make 4 corncakes, cooking approximately 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove to a serving plate and repeat with remaining batter, beginning with heating the remaining oil and butter. To serve, spread each corncake with about 1 teaspoon of Garlic Aioli, top with a heaping tablespoonful of the bean and kale filling, garnish as desired, and serve immediately. Note: corncakes may be prepared ahead and kept well-covered until serving time.

Creamy Black Bean, Kale, and Coconut Milk Filling:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion (half a medium), diced

Sea salt

1 cup coarsely chopped kale with thick stems removed

2 large cloves garlic, minced

1-15.5 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon So Delicious Culinary Coconut Milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

Freshly ground black pepper

In the same skillet as you made the corncakes, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add onion and a pinch of sea salt and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes or until softened. Add kale and garlic and continue to sauté and stir for about 3 minutes or until kale is softened, but still bright green. Add all remaining ingredients and cook, stirring, for another 2 to 3 minutes or until ingredients reduce down and come together into a thick, fragrant, and creamy mixture. Season to taste with pepper and additional sea salt, if desired.

Garlic Aioli:

3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

In a small cup, whisk together mayonnaise and garlic powder until well combined.

June 20, 2015June 20, 2015 by betsy

Vegan Southwestern Quinoa Confetti Salad (Perfect for a Father’s Day cookout!)

This delicious salad was inspired by one I enjoyed at Pompano in NYC. I use more ingredients–including the kale, tomatoes, cucmbers, and optional black beans–because if the salad was scrumptious without them, it would be even better with.

Yield: 6 servings

1 cup uncooked quinoa (I used a mixed colored variety)

2 cups water

Sea salt

1-15 ounce can yellow hominy, rinsed and drained

Optional: 1-15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained (not included in accompanying photograph)

1/2 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 cup coarsely chopped kale

2-6 inch cucumbers, diced

Approximately 12 grape tomatoes, quartered

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of 1/2 large lime

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon chile powder

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, or to taste

Optional: 1 tablespoon nutrition yeast

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine quinoa, water and a teaspoon of sea salt, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender and water is absorbed/evaporated, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, preheatoiled grill pan over medium high. Place onion slices in one half of pan and kale in the other, lightly salt, and grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until nice caramelized grill marks appear. Combine quinoa, hominy grilled onion and kale, cucumbers, and grape tomatoes in a large non-reactive bowl. In a small cup or bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice, and all spices, seasoning to taste with additional sea salt. Pour over salad, sprinkle with cilantro and optional nutritional yeast, and gently toss to coat completely. Note: I like to enjoy a couple or three servings of the salad without the black beans and then add them to the leftovers to enjoy for a another few servings.