crock pot Archives - Epicurean Vegan

Yep, it’s still August. And yes, I know using a slow cooker in the summer isn’t necessarily the norm, but I’ve got my reasons. First, our summer here in Colorado has been interesting; lots of cloudy days and rain. Second, the guys were coming back from a three-night backpacking/camping trip and would be arriving home around dinnertime. I didn’t have time in the afternoon to cook, so I threw together this soup in the slow cooker and voila, dinner was made. Sure, they were glad to see me when they got home, but I also think the savory aroma of the soup lured them inside. You certainly don’t need to use a slow cooker for this recipe, a regular soup pot would do. I chose this method based on the time I had and the fact that it could just simmer away until the backpackers arrived home—whenever that was going to be. The soft avocado and crunchy tortilla strips are great toppers for this soup—the best of both worlds (texture-wise). The Field Roast has all the seasoning, so there’s no need for a long list of spices, however, if you choose to sub in another meat alternative, I suggest adding chili powder and oregano in addition to the cumin. The cilantro and dollop of sour cream completed this spicy, savory soup.

INGREDIENTS:
1 large onion, chopped
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Field Roast sausage links, Chipotle flavor
2 14-oz cans (or 1 28-oz can) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 6-oz can tomato paste
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
4 C vegetable broth
2 Tbs lime juice
1 Tbs agave
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings: chopped avocado, fresh cilantro, vegan sour cream, tortilla strips

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and Field Roast. Saute until browned.
Add everything, including the Field Roast mixture into the slow cooker and combine well. Cook on low for about 5-6 hours.
Top individual servings with avocado, cilantro, sour cream and tortilla strips. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

5 hours

Total time

5 hours 10 mins

Yep, it's still August. And yes, I know using a slow cooker in the summer isn't necessarily the norm, but I've got my reasons. First, our summer here in Colorado has been interesting; lots of cloudy days and rain. Second, the guys were coming back from a three-night backpacking/camping trip and would be arriving home around dinnertime. I didn't have time in the afternoon to cook, so I threw together this soup in the slow cooker and voila, dinner was made. Sure, they were glad to see me when they got home, but I also think the savory aroma of the soup lured them inside.You certainly don't need to use a slow cooker for this recipe, a regular soup pot would do. I chose this method based on the time I had and the fact that it could just simmer away until the backpackers arrived home---whenever that was going to be. The soft avocado and crunchy tortilla strips are great toppers for this soup---the best of both worlds (texture-wise). The Field Roast has all the seasoning, so there's no need for a long list of spices, however, if you choose to sub in another meat alternative, I suggest adding chili powder and oregano in addition to the cumin. The cilantro and dollop of sour cream completed this spicy, savory soup.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Recipe type: Soup

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Field Roast sausage links, Chipotle flavor
2 14-oz cans (or 1 28-oz can) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 6-oz can tomato paste
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 jarred roasted red peppers, chopped
4 C vegetable broth
2 Tbs lime juice
1 Tbs agave
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings: chopped avocado, fresh cilantro, vegan sour cream, tortilla strips

Directions

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and Field Roast. Saute until browned.
Add everything, including the Field Roast mixture into the slow cooker and combine well. Cook on low for about 5-6 hours.
Top individual servings with avocado, cilantro, sour cream and tortilla strips. Enjoy!

Hello! I didn’t forget about all of you; I’ve had a very busy month of traveling. I spent a couple of weeks traveling around Northern California on a little book tour—you can read about it HERE if you’d like. I now get to spend 8 days in New York City this month with my dear friends Kerrie and Nicole! I’ve thrilled to be going on this trip, especially since I’ve never been to the Big Apple. I’m hoping I get a chance to check out some of Alicia Silverstone’s favorite NYC vegan eateries while I’m there. Any recommendations of your own?

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying not living out of a suitcase for a few days and I finally got back in the kitchen. I recently picked up The Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook and decided try the meatless ragu. I made a few changes to the recipe, however. You may not think to haul out the slow cooker during the summer, (let alone for vegan food), but it beats using the oven to heat up the house and we’re not regular grill users, so the crock pot is a great idea. The only trouble is that the smell of everything cooking might make you hungry all day. Most of the recipes in the cookbook include instructions for what to prepare the night before and what to prepare the next day—a real time-saver. There wasn’t much to do the night before, so I threw it all together in about 15 minutes around noon.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 C onion, diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Field Roast sausages, Italian Seasonings flavor, crumbled
1 28-oz can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 C mushrooms, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
3 Tbs port wine
Chopped fresh basil
Optional ingredients: diced zucchini and/or bell pepper
1 lb Rigatoni pasta

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, cook the onion in the olive oil, until the onions are tender, a bout 3-4 minutes.

Transfer the onions to the slow cooker. Next, add the Field Roast to the skillet and over medium heat, saute until browned, 3-4 minutes as well.

Transfer the Field Roast, tomatoes, mushrooms, salt and pepper, vinegar, and wine in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Serve over cooked pasta and top with fresh basil. Enjoy!

Meatless Mushroom Ragu

I recently picked up The Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook and decided try the meatless ragu. I made a few changes to the recipe, however. You may not think to haul out the slow cooker during the summer, (let alone for vegan food), but it beats using the oven to heat up the house and we're not regular grill users, so the crock pot is a great idea. The only trouble is that the smell of everything cooking might make you hungry all day. Most of the recipes in the cookbook include instructions for what to prepare the night before and what to prepare the next day---a real time-saver. There wasn't much to do the night before, so I threw it all together in about 15 minutes around noon.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

1 Tbs olive oil
½ C onion, diced small
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Field Roast sausages, Italian Seasonings flavor, crumbled
1 28-oz can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
2 C mushrooms, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
3 Tbs port wine
Chopped fresh basil
Optional ingredients: diced zucchini and/or bell pepper
1 lb Rigatoni pasta

Directions

In a large skillet, cook the onion in the olive oil, until the onions are tender, a bout 3-4 minutes.
Transfer the onions to the slow cooker. Next, add the Field Roast to the skillet and over medium heat, saute until browned, 3-4 minutes as well.
Transfer the Field Roast, tomatoes, mushrooms, salt and pepper, vinegar, and wine in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Serve over cooked pasta and top with fresh basil. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

Meatless Mushroom Ragu

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