January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 by betsy

Creamy Mediterranean Root Vegetable Stew (vegan & plant-based)

This meal-in-a-bowl stew is a looker! Not just a pretty face, though, it is indescribably delicious–a little sweet and a little tangy–and the garnishes take it straight over the top. If you haven’t tried tamarind syrup, now may be the time. It is available at international food markets or online. But, if you don’t have any or can’t locate it, the stew is still one-of-a-kind.

Creamy Mediterranean Root Vegetable Stew (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 4-6 servings

1 small yellow onion, diced or slivered
1/3 cup diced carrot
1/3 cup diced celery
1/2 red bell pepper, diced or slivered
1/2 green bell pepper, diced ir slivered
1/8 teaspoon each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2.5 ounces baby kale
1-10 ounce package frozen riced cauliflower, cooked according to package directions (I microwave)
1-12 ounce package frozen root vegetables: carrots, beets, parsnips, sweet potatoes (I use Hanover brand frozen root vegetables for an air fryer, but cooked them in the microwave, as alternatively directed)
1-14.5 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 large bay leaf
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric
2 cups vegetable stock (I use a roasted garlic paste + 2 cups water)
1-15 ounce can lite coconut milk
8 to 10 ounces hummus, plain or flavored (I use Ithica brand Lemon Garlic)
Optional garnishes: crumbled vegan feta (I love Follow Your Heart), coarsely chopped roasted and lightly salted pistachios, finely chopped parsley, tamarind syrup

In large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium. Add onion, carrot, celery, bell pepper, salt, and pepper, and saute, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 or so minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add all remaining ingredients, except garnishes, stir well to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer for about 20 minutes to allow flavors to marry. Adjust heat as necessary throughout, stirring occasionally. Serve warm, garnished as desired, in big bowls.

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January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 by betsy

Kale, Corn & Coconut Milk Soup with Optional “Sausage” (vegan & plant-based)

As we in Coastal Virginia prepare for a January Arctic blast from Siberia(!), a warm-you-from-the-inside-out soup is on my mind. With inspiration from Mexican cuisines, redolent of cumin and coriander, this meal-in-a-bowl needs served with nothing other than a spoon. Enjoy!

Kale, Corn & Coconut Milk Soup (with optional sausage)
Yield: approximately 6 servings

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 red or orange bell pepper, diced or thinly sliced
1/8 teaspoon each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons ground coriander or to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
2 links vegan sausage, preferably chipotle or chorizo flavored, sliced 1/4-inch thick
10 ounces frozen riced cauliflower, cooked according to package directions (I use the microwave)
2 cups cooked corn, canned (1-15.5 ounces, rinsed and drained), fresh, or frozen
2 cups vegetable stock
1-15.5 ounce can lite coconut milk
8 ounces chopped kale or baby kale
Optional garnishes: crumbled vegan feta, chopped parsley or cilantro

In large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium. Add onion, bell pepper, salt, and pepper, and saute, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 or so minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add all remaining ingredients, stir well to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer for about 20 minutes to allow flavors to marry. Adjust heat as necessary throughout, stirring occasionally. Serve warm with a generous garnish of crumbled vegan feta and herby cilantro or parsley.

#vegan #veganism #veganshare #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography

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January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 by betsy

Kale, Cauliflower & White Bean Soup (vegan & plant-based)

Kale, Cauliflower & White Bean Soup
Yield: approximately 4-6 servings

January days don’t get grayer than this in Coastal Virginia as we prepare for an Arctic Blast from Siberia…and I crave it: the moodier the better. And with weather like this, my thoughts turn to soup–though, truthfully, my thoughts are never far from soup–and this one checks every hardy and healthful box. Hope you enjoy!

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1/3 cup diced carrot
1/3 cup diced celery
1/8 teaspoon each sea salt freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, or to taste
1 teaspoon rubbed sage, or to taste
10 ounces frozen riced cauliflower, cooked according to package directions (I use microwave)
1-15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable stock
8 ounces chopped kale, thick stems removed, or baby kale

In large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium. Add onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper and saute, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 or so minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add all remaining ingredients, stir well to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer for about 20 minutes to allow flavors to marry. Adjust heat as necessary throughout, stirring occasionally. Serve warm in big bowls with crusty bread for sopping if desired.

#vegan #veganism #veganshare #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn#vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography #vegansoup #plantbasedsoup

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January 2, 2025January 2, 2025 by betsy

Miso Butter Vegetable Soup (vegan & plant-based)

Miso Butter Vegetable Soup
Yield: 4 servings

So many people–including me–have been very sick this holiday season. A bowlful of colorful, flavorful antioxidants seemed in order, so I whipped this together for lunch today using what I had on hand…and I will keep making it year round, in sickness and in health!

Out of hot chili crisp, I reached for miso instead, and I am not mad about it. I like to serve this soup with both a spoon and chopsticks, though slurping the broth–and inhaling the steam–is perfectly acceptable.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow or white onion, slivered
1 red or green bell pepper, seeded, stemmed, and slivered
10 ounces frozen riced cauliflower, cooked according to package directions (I microwave)
12 ounces mixed Asian vegetables, cooked according to package directions (I microwave)
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
4 ounces fresh arugula
2 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons yellow miso
1 tablespoon vegan butter
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon Chinese Five Spice or Japanese Seven Spice or to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Optional garnish: roasted and lightly salted cashews or peanuts

In large soup pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and peppers and saute, stirring frequently 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add remaining ingredients in order–adding greens in batches if desired–and stir well until greens are wilted. Continue simmering, stirring often, until most of moisture is evaporated. Serve hot in bowls topped with nuts if desired.

#vegan #veganism #veganshare #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography #soup #Asiansoup #misobutter

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July 11, 2024September 21, 2024 by betsy

Black Bean & Hominy Soup–An Asian-Mexican Explosion (vegan & plant-based)

On a school architecture trip to Chicago in May, I had occasion to slip into Seoul Taco for a tofu taco, which served to solidify my love of Asian-Mexican fusion cooking. So, with our turn to host our Starlight Supper Club coming up in June and my husband Jonesin’ for bulgogi b*** in lettuce wraps–mushrooms for me and the vegetarians–we settled on an Asian-Fusion menu.

Bob and I hosted this thrice-annual fete on a weeknight so my cousin visiting from Houston could join the clan, most of whom he had met previously. I am out of school for the summer, but he and I had a day hike planned that Wednesday, so my contributions needed to be quick and fuss-free. To fit the bill, I whipped up this unforgettable soup loved by all–even Bob–and a delectable Miso Blackberry Quick Cobbler, which I will share in another post.

Our Supper Club always serves buffet style no matter which one of the three couples hosts and no matter the menu, so in the soup went to our stainless steel “crockpot” on low for a streamlined and attractive serving solution.

However and to whomever you serve it, you will definitely want to add this one-bowl wonder to your repertoire:

Black Bean & Hominy Soup

Yield: 8 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced, or about 1 cup
2 stalks celery, diced, about 1/2 cup
1 carrot, diced, about 1/2 cup
2 medium red, orange, and/or yellow bell peppers, diced, about 2 cups
Pinch sea salt
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Asian chili crisp
1 tablespoon, minced ginger
2 teaspoons vegetable soup base or 1 large vegetable bouillon cube
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2-15 ounce cans black beans with juice
2-15 ounce cans, hominy, drained (we like the yellow for color)
10 ounces riced cauliflower, cooked (we buy a frozen package and cook it in its package in the microwave, per directions)
2-15 ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juice
2 cans coconut milk (lite or regular)

Garnishes: plant-based sour cream, candied peppers, roasted & lightly salted ppumpkin seeds

In Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot, bring olive oil to a sizzle over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, bell peppers, and pinch salt and saute, stirring frequently, several minutes, until softened. Adjust heat if necessary. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds, stirring continually. Stir in remaining ingredients in order and let simmer 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are married. Serve warm in bowls or mugs (pictured), garnished as desired.

Reese Lusk of **Lusk Studios** about to Get his Asian-Fusion On!

#vegan #veganism #veganshare #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #tofutti #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography #vegansoup #plantbasedsoup #Asianfusion #mexicansoup

July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 by betsy

Pumpkin & Coconut Milk Bisque (vegan/ plant-based & gf)

Pumpkin & Coconut Milk Bisque (vegan/ plant-based & gf)

Yield: 4 servings

I am a year-round soup lover, even when it is scorching hot outside, because soup is a quick and flavorful meal in a bowl that is hydrating and beautiful. Pureed pumpkin and lite coconut milk make this one creamy and golden, but the vegetables provide plenty of texture and a nutritional punch. Layering on the garnishes turns each bowl into an extravaganza, best scooped with a warm tortilla.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 large bell pepper, any color, diced (I use 1 cup diced bell pepper of 3 different colors)
Pinch sea salt
1-15.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes with juice (I like to use the variety with garlic)
1-15.5 ounce can pureed pumpkin
1-15.5 ounce can lite coconut milk
1-10 ounce frozen package riced cauliflower, cooked according to package directions (for this recipe, I choose a lime and cilantro version)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
Additional sea salt plus freshly ground black pepper to taste
Water to thin as desired

Accompaniment: warm tortillas (gf if desired)
Garnishes: Plant-based sour cream (I like to melt it in microwave for drizzling), chili oil, black bean and corn salsa, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, roasted and lightly salted pumpkin seeds

In Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot, bring olive oil to a sizzle over medium heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and pinch salt and saute, stirring frequently, several minutes, until softened. Adjust heat if necessary. Stir in remaining ingredients in order and let simmer 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors are married. Serve in large bowls with warm tortillas, garnished as desired.

#vegan #veganism #veganshare #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #tofutti #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography #vegansoup #plantbasedsoup #pumpkinsoup

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 by betsy

Smoky Tomato Soup with Coconut Milk (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 4-6 servings

All the veg we need without all the moaning and groaning from the veg-phobic…like my beloved spouse!

Created as an antidote to restaurant meals and other “fancy” cooking for our Starlight Supper Club and a happy hour this week while my cousin, Earl, is visiting from Houston, I loaded this recipe up with camouflaged vegetables so that Bob was none the wiser and he loved it! The guys enjoyed it with a plant-based grilled cheese sandwich for dipping, natch, but I thought it was perfectly satisfying unaccompanied. Note: If smokey isn’t your jam, use regular canned diced tomatoes.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
1 carrot, diced (approximately 1/2 cup)
1 stalk celery, diced (approximately 1/2 cup)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch slivers
Pinch salt
Pinch black pepper
2 to 3 large cloves garlic, halved
2 teaspoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons vegetable base or 1 large bouillon cube
1 teaspoon dried basil
2-15 ounce cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
1-15 ounce can coconut milk ( I use lite, but you do you!)
Optional garnish: drizzle olive oil and/or vegan sour cream thinned with water or non-dairy milk, fresh minced parsley or basil

In large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add fresh vegetables, except garlic, with pinch salt and pepper, and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer. Transfer to bowl of large food processor and process until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Add tomato paste, vegetable base, basil, and 1 can tomatoes, and puree again until smooth. Add remaining can tomatoes and coconut milk and puree a final time. Return to skillet and heat until bubbly. Serve warm, garnished as desired.

#vegan #veganism #veganshare #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn#vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #tofutti #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography

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December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 by betsy

FREE eCookbook! Quick & Easy Entertaining: The Holiday Edition (vegan & plant-based)

As many of you know, Tofutti hired me last spring to create tasty content for them, a side hustle made for me if there ever was one!

I also love my day job as an art teacher in the Upper School at Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, VA, so when school let out last June, I went on a recipe development bender over the summer. You can access those recipes which have been published on the Tofutti site’s recipe blog. But there are many more in the can, as they say!

I backed off my flurry just a little once school started back in August but, for the most part, I have continued to create recipes, stage and photograph the finished dishes, and work on various special projects of which this eCookbook is my favorite.

Please note that, while I am paid a contract fee by Tofutti, the eCookbook is NOT monetized, so I am not promoting it for $$. Rather, I love these recipes, think the book is so beautiful to page through, even digitally, and wanted to share with you.

In Quick & Easy Entertaining: The Holiday Edition, you will find

Mex Chex Mix
Cream Cheese Pecan Balls
Turnip Greens, Red Beans & Vegan Sausage Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash, Arugula & Candied Pecans
Savory Vegan Sausage & Rice-Stuffed Microwave Baked Apples
Oatmeal Streusel-Stuffed Microwave-Baked Apples
Mini No-Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecakes
Mini No-Bake Pomegranate Cheesecakes

To access your book, simply click on the link below which will take you to a pretty page where you enter your email address and submit. You will receive your eCookbook via email right away. And, not to worry: you will NOT be inundated with email from Tofutti…or me!

Quick & Easy Entertaining: The Holiday Edition 2022 (mailchi.mp)

Once you have downloaded the eCookbook, you could certainly send it to friends, but we would love it if you would send them the link so that we know how many people are accessing it. And please share on your social media. The more the merrier.

We’d love to know what you think, as well as what other cookbook topics might interest you. We hope you love this little gift from us to you.

Cheers!

~Betsy

October 12, 2022October 12, 2022 by betsy

Beer Cheese Soup + Review of Spero Foods “The Cheddar” (vegan & plant-based)

Spero Foods recently gifted me with a generous supply of their vegan, plant-based, and eco-conscious sunflower seed-based cheese spreads to sample, and I am happy to share both the results of my in-home taste-test of The Cheddar along with my recipe for vegan and plant-based Beer Cheese Soup. You can find my mini-review of Spero’s The Goat and my recipe for a lovely fall butternut squash-based dip or spread made with it here.

Packaged in 6.5 ounce tubs with a fresh, modern look, I have found the ever-so-slightly grainy texture of these products to be appealing. I don’t necessarily need for my spreads to be unnaturally smooth in most dishes. However, though taste is a highly subjective sense, I find that they tend to be over-salted. This was true of The Cheddar, which was also a bit too tangy for me, though my recollection of earthy cheddar from my pre-vegan days includes a pleasant tang.

So, unlikely to eat this spread by itself, I would be more apt to serve it with a sweet chutney or pepper jelly. However, not in need of party food, but in need of a mid-week dinner, I wondered if it would be tasty in a soup sweetened with coconut milk to offset both the salt and the potent tang. It was luscious, delicious, and satisfying, and I hope you enjoy!

Beer Cheese Soup (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 4 servings

1 tablespoon vegan butter

3 stalks celery, diced

1 small onion, diced

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup vegetable stock

1/4 cup vegan beer or non-alcoholic beer

1-15 ounce can coconut milk, lite or regular (I used lite)

6 ounces Spero Foods The Cheddar spread

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon yellow or stone ground mustard

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

1/2 to 1 teaspoon Sriracha

Recommended garnishes: thinly sliced green onion, halved tri-color grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped smoked almonds, shredded vegan cheddar cheese, vegan croutons, etc.

In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add celery, onion, a pinch of salt and pepper, turmeric, and garlic powder. Sauté, stirring frequently, until very soft, but not brown; adjusting heat as necessary. Stir in flour until well-combined, followed by vegetable stock, beer, and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until smooth and creamy. Stir in The Cheddar spread, apple cider vinegar, mustard, nutritional yeast and Sriracha. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until all ingredients are completely combined and heated through. Serve in bowls, garnished as desired, accompanied by salad and chunks of vegan biscuits or a crusty bread, like maybe pretzel bread nuggets.