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Cashew Cheese Risotto

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Cashew Cheese Risotto -- Epicurean VeganJust so you  know, we’re not messing around with this risotto. I shudder to think what my vegan life would be like without cashew cheese. Obviously, the pure joy of the Creamy Macaroni with Cashew Cheese, would just not exist, as would the Stuffed Shells with Butternut Squash and Cashew Cheese and the Pine nut and Cashew Ravioli. Not a vegan world I’d want to live in, folks. And the beauty of it all, is that cashew cheese is so simple to make, a monkey can do it, so it just doesn’t get any better. This baked risotto dish is creamy, decadent and outta this world (and into vegan heaven). And did I mention it’s easy to make? Ready in 50 minutes? No standing at the stove constantly stirring like traditional risotto; this entree (or side dish) practically cooks itself. Served solo or with garlic bread and a salad, you’re well on your way to cashew cheese nirvana.

INGREDIENTS:
5 C vegetable broth
1-1/2 C Arborio rice
1 tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C onion, diced
16-oz mushrooms, sliced, then cut in half
1-1/2 C green onion, sliced
2-3 C fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 C white cooking wine
2 Tbs vegan margarine
1/4 C nutritional yeast
1 recipe cashew cheese (see below)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cashew Cheese (makes 1 cup)
1 C raw, roasted and unsalted cashews (whole or pieces), soaked in hot water 1-2 hours
1/2 C water
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
Start the cashew cheese first. Soak the nuts in a bowl with enough boiling water to just cover the nuts. Let sit 1-2 hours. Drain, rinse and transfer to a food processor. Add 1/2 cup of water and puree. While the machine is running, add the salt, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. Scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary; set aside.
Cashew Cheese Risotto -- Epicurean VeganPreheat oven to 350. Combine 4 cups of the broth with the rice in a Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 45 minutes. While the rice is baking, prepare your other ingredients. With about 10 minutes of cooking time left for the risotto,  heat the olive oil and garlic over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once the garlic starts to brown, add the mushrooms and green onion. Reduce heat to medium-low and saute about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and let it cook 2 minutes. Once it starts to wilt, remove from the heat.
Cashew Cheese Risotto -- Epicurean VeganWhen the risotto is done (all the liquid is absorbed), stir in the remaining cup of broth. Then add the white wine, vegan margarine, salt and pepper. Stir vigorously for 2-3 minutes; this is what releases the starches and makes the risotto nice and creamy. Add the nutritional yeast and all of the cashew cheese. Stir until well combined. Fold in the mushroom-spinach mixture. And that’s it! Serve and thoroughly enjoy!

Cashew Cheese Risotto
 
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Cashew cheese is so simple to make, a monkey can do it, so it just doesn't get any better. This baked risotto dish is creamy, decadent and outta this world (and into vegan heaven). And did I mention it's easy to make? Ready in 50 minutes? No standing at the stove constantly stirring like traditional risotto; this entree (or side dish) practically cooks itself. Served solo or with garlic bread and a salad, you're well on your way to cashew cheese nirvana.
Author:
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 5 C vegetable broth
  • 1-1/2 C Arborio rice
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 C onion, diced
  • 16-oz mushrooms, sliced, then cut in half
  • 1-1/2 C green onion, sliced
  • 2-3 C fresh spinach, chopped
  • ½ C white cooking wine
  • 2 Tbs vegan margarine
  • ¼ C nutritional yeast
  • 1 recipe cashew cheese (see below)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cashew Cheese (makes 1 cup)
  • 1 C raw, roasted and unsalted cashews (whole or pieces), soaked in hot water 1-2 hours
  • ½ C water
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt
Directions
  1. Start the cashew cheese first. Soak the nuts in a bowl with enough boiling water to just cover the nuts. Let sit 1-2 hours. Drain, rinse and transfer to a food processor. Add ½ cup of water and puree. While the machine is running, add the salt, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. Scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary; set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350. Combine 4 cups of the broth with the rice in a Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
  3. While the rice is baking, prepare your other ingredients. With about 10 minutes of cooking time left for the risotto, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once the garlic starts to brown, add the mushrooms and green onion. Reduce heat to medium-low and saute about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and let it cook 2 minutes. Once it starts to wilt, remove from the heat.
  4. When the risotto is done (all the liquid is absorbed), stir in the remaining cup of broth. Then add the white wine, vegan margarine, salt and pepper. Stir vigorously for 2-3 minutes; this is what releases the starches and makes the risotto nice and creamy. Add the nutritional yeast and all of the cashew cheese. Stir until well combined. Fold in the mushroom-spinach mixture. And that's it! Serve and thoroughly enjoy!

 

Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto

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Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto -- Epicurean VeganWow, has it really been this long since my last post?! I guess the holidays will do that. I hope everyone had a great holiday season and so far a good 2014. I’ve made this risotto several times now, and I swear we love it more each time. Sure, there’s a little prep work involved, as well as some constant stirring, but I promise you, it’s worth it. You can even read a book while you make this. Seriously. Have a book  handy because you  might as well get some reading done as you stir. (A glass of wine wouldn’t hurt either).

INGREDIENTS:
3/4-oz pkg. dried shiitake mushrooms
3/4-oz pkg. dried porcini mushrooms
3 C vegetable broth
3 C fresh spinach, chopped
1/8-1/4 C lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 large onion, chopped small (about 1 C)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs olive oil, divided
16-oz cremini mushrooms
1-1/2 tsp thyme
1 C Arborio rice
1/2 C white cooking wine
1-1/2 Tbs Earth Balance margarine
1/8 C nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
To begin, soak the shiitake and porcini in very hot water for about 30 minutes. Once re-hydrated, drain, wash, and chop the mushrooms up small; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, lemon juice and salt; set aside as well. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbs of olive oil and add the garlic. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat, then add the onion. Saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the cremini, shiitake, and porcini mushrooms and cook 10-12 minutes, or until they have cooked down. Add the thyme, Arborio rice, and remaining olive oil. Combine the rice well in the pan and cook 3-4 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook 5 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto -- Epicurean Vegan

Add about 1/2 C of the broth and stir constantly until completely absorbed; repeat, adding only a 1/2 C of broth at a time. It will take about 20-30 minutes. (Good time to have a book handy). Next, stir in the spinach mixture and cook 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach has cooked down. Stir in the Earth Balance, nutritional yeast, and black pepper. Enjoy! (This is great with some oven-roasted asparagus and garlic toast.)

Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto -- Epicurean Vegan

 

Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto
 
Print
I've made this risotto several times now, and I swear we love it more each time. Sure, there's a little prep work involved, as well as some constant stirring, but I promise you, it's worth it. You can even read a book while you make this. Seriously. Have a book handy because you might as well get some reading done as you stir. (A glass of wine wouldn't hurt either).
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • ¾-oz pkg. dried shiitake mushrooms
  • ¾-oz pkg. dried porcini mushrooms
  • 3 C vegetable broth
  • 3 C fresh spinach, chopped
  • ⅛-1/4 C lemon juice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ large onion, chopped small (about 1 C)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbs olive oil, divided
  • 16-oz cremini mushrooms
  • 1-1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1 C Arborio rice
  • ½ C white cooking wine
  • 1-1/2 Tbs Earth Balance margarine
  • ⅛ C nutritional yeast
  • ½ tsp black pepper
Directions
  1. To begin, soak the shiitake and porcini in very hot water for about 30 minutes. Once re-hydrated, drain, wash, and chop the mushrooms up small; set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the spinach, lemon juice and salt; set aside as well.
  3. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbs of olive oil and add the garlic. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat, then add the onion. Saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the cremini, shiitake, and porcini mushrooms and cook 10-12 minutes, or until they have cooked down. Add the thyme, Arborio rice, and remaining olive oil.
  4. Combine the rice well in the pan and cook 3-4 minutes.
  5. Stir in the wine and cook 5 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
  6. Add about ½ C of the broth and stir constantly until completely absorbed; repeat, adding only a ½ C of broth at a time. It will take about 20-30 minutes. (Good time to have a book handy). Next, stir in the spinach mixture and cook 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach has cooked down.
  7. Stir in the Earth Balance, nutritional yeast, and black pepper. Enjoy! (This is great with some oven-roasted asparagus and garlic toast.)

 

White Bean and Arborio Rice Soup

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White Bean and Arborio Rice Soup -- Epicurean VeganThis soup, from Vegetarian Times is amazing! It’s a simple fall soup that comes together in no time. I think it came out pretty thick and I would have preferred it to be soupier. If you’re like me, I recommending using about 10 cups of water instead of 6. The bread that it’s served with really soaks up the liquid. Otherwise, for a thick chunky version stick with the recipe as is. Either way, it’s delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
3 Tbs olive oil, divided
2/3 C Arborio rice
3 garlic cloves, minced
3-1/4 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
6 C vegetable broth
2 C cabbage, sliced
1 bay leaf
2 slices of Italian bread, torn into pieces (1 C)
1/4 C pine nuts
1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

DIRECTIONS:
Heat 2 Tbs of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the rice and toasted for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 2 more minutes.

 

White Bean and Arborio Rice Soup -- Epicurean VeganAdd the broth, cabbage and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, pulse the bread and pine  nuts in a food processor until you get small crumbs. Heat the remaining Tbs of olive oil in a skillet and add the bread/nut mixture. Toast over medium heat, stirring often, about 5 minutes.

White Bean and Arborio Rice Soup -- Epicurean VeganAdd the beans to the soup and cook 5 minutes. Check to make sure the rice is tender. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper.

White Bean and Arborio Rice Soup -- Epicurean VeganThe recipe says to stir in the bread crumbs, but I opted to just sprinkle them on top of individual servings. Otherwise, I think the bread would soak up too much of the broth. Serve with salad and bread and enjoy!

White Bean and Arborio Rice Soup
 
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This soup, from Vegetarian Times is amazing! It's a simple fall soup that comes together in no time. I think it came out pretty thick and I would have preferred it to be soupier. If you're like me, I recommending using about 10 cups of water instead of 6. The bread that it's served with really soaks up the liquid. Otherwise, for a thick chunky version stick with the recipe as is. Either way, it's delicious!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 3 Tbs olive oil, divided
  • ⅔ C Arborio rice
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3-1/4 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 6 C vegetable broth
  • 2 C cabbage, sliced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 slices of Italian bread, torn into pieces (1 C)
  • ¼ C pine nuts
  • 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
Directions
  1. Heat 2 Tbs of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the rice and toasted for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 2 more minutes.
  2. Add the broth, cabbage and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, pulse the bread and pine nuts in a food processor until you get small crumbs.
  4. Heat the remaining Tbs of olive oil in a skillet and add the bread/nut mixture. Toast over medium heat, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the beans to the soup and cook 5 minutes. Check to make sure the rice is tender.
  6. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper.
  7. The recipe says to stir in the bread crumbs, but I opted to just sprinkle them on top of individual servings. Otherwise, I think the bread would soak up too much of the broth.
  8. Serve with salad and bread and enjoy!

 

Field Roast-Stuffed Bell Peppers

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Field Roast-Stuffed Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganThese are one of my favorite things to make, especially since the the filling can be changed to suit your tastes and what you have lying around the kitchen. I used Field Roast’s Chipotle flavored sausages which has great flavor and seasonings, that there was no need to add any spices. These were creamy, spicy and filling. The recipe is for 4 bell peppers, but I had 3—luckily, the stuffing makes a great breakfast burrito filling.

INGREDIENTS:
4 bell peppers, any variety
1/2 C arborio rice
1 C vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
2 Field Roast sausages, chipotle-flavor, crumbled
1 medium onion, diced
1-1/2 C mushrooms, diced
2 small tomatoes, diced
1 C vegan cheddar, shredded
1/4 C Tofutti sour cream

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375. In a small saucepan, combine the vegetable broth and arborio rice; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Slice the very tops off of the bell peppers and clean out the innards; set aside.

Field Roast-Stuffed Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganIn a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions and Field Roast and saute until the onions start to soften and brown, then add the mushrooms and tomatoes. In a small bowl, combine the cheese and sour cream and then stir it into the Field Roast mixture.

Field Roast-Stuffed Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganSpoon the Field Roast mixture into the peppers—firmly pack it in. Place into a 8″ baking dish.

Field Roast-Stuffed Bell Peppers -- Epicurean VeganCover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake another 5 minutes and enjoy!

Field Roast-Stuffed Bell Peppers -- Epicurean Vegan

Hot Rice with Cold Lemon, Basil and Tomato

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Hot Rice with Cold Lemon, Basil and Tomato -- Epicurean VeganThis is a fast and easy side dish from The kind Diet that is very flavorful. For variety, I sometimes omit the basil and add grated ginger root instead. This also makes a light, refreshing lunch or snack. I really like the Arborio rice (risotto rice)–it’s a great change from regular white rice.

INGREDIENTS:
1 C Arborio rice
2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
3 pinches of fine sea salt
2 pinches ground black pepper
1/2 C (or as much as you want) tomato, diced
2 Tbs chopped fresh basil

DIRECTIONS:
Place the unrinsed rice in a saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-15 minutes or until mostly tender but still a little firm in the center of the grain. Drain off any excess water and transfer rice to a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice (grated ginger if using), salt and pepper. Mix well and addd the tomatoes and sprinkle basil (if using) on top. Toss to combine and serve. Makes about 4 servings. Enjoy!

Recipe source: The Kind Diet

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