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Gnocchi Soup with Kale & Veggie Sausage

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Gnocchi Soup with Kale and Veggie Sausage -- Epicurean Vegan

Oh, winter soups, how I love thee! This soup is hearty, full of flavor, and packed with good-for-you veggies. The gnocchi are potato-y, pillow-y, perfection and even wheat- and gluten-free! Need another reason to love this soup? It’ll be ready in 30 minutes (and pairs well with a chilly December evening)!

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 Tbs olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 C mushrooms, diced (I used cremini)
2 Italian Seasoning-flavored Field Roast sausages, crumbled
5 C vegetable broth
12-oz Delallo mini gnocchi (gluten-free, wheat-free)
4 C Lacinato (Dino) kale, chopped
1-1/2 C almond milk
3 Tbs cornstarch
1 Tbs nutritional yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil and add the garlic; cook for 2 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, and onion. Over medium heat, cook the veggies for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent. Add the mushrooms and Field Roast and cook another 5-7 minutes, stirring often.

Add the broth and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the gnocchi and kale and cook for 3-5 minutes. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the cornstarch, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, and milk; blend well. Stir it into the soup and bring to a boil for 1 minute, or until the soup thickens. Serve hot and enjoy!

Gnocchi Soup with Kale & Veggie Sausage
 
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Oh, winter soups, how I love thee! This soup is hearty, full of flavor, and packed with good-for-you veggies. The gnocchi are potato-y, pillow-y, perfection and even wheat- and gluten-free! Need another reason to love this soup? It'll be ready in 30 minutes (and pairs well with a chilly December evening)!
Author:
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 1-2 Tbs olive oil
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 C mushrooms, diced (I used cremini)
  • 2 Italian Seasoning-flavored Field Roast sausages, crumbled
  • 5 C vegetable broth
  • 12-oz Delallo mini gnocchi (gluten-free, wheat-free)
  • 4 C Lacinato (Dino) kale, chopped
  • 1-1/2 C almond milk
  • 3 Tbs cornstarch
  • 1 Tbs nutritional yeast
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
Directions
  1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil and add the garlic; cook for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the carrots, celery, and onion. Over medium heat, cook the veggies for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent.
  3. Add the mushrooms and Field Roast and cook another 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
  4. Add the broth and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in the gnocchi and kale and cook for 3-5 minutes.
  6. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the cornstarch, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, and milk; blend well. Stir it into the soup and bring to a boil for 1 minute, or until the soup thickens. Serve hot and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Kale & Wonton Soup

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Kale and Wonton Soup -- Epicurean Vegan

Okay, I get it; those are some really ugly-looking wontons. I clearly need to work on my wonton-making skills. Maybe they’re more like dumplings. If I called them dumplings would that have been better? Well, wontons . . . dumplings . . . they taste amazing. I got an instant “Oh, hell yeah,” after The Husband took one bite. In fact, he said this soup rivals his all-time favorite dish: tacos. The broth alone got some noteworthy accolades. Despite my obvious lack of wonton origami, they are actually super easy to make. (I have to give myself points for the fact that my “wumplings” stayed together!) In fact, they’re such a breeze to make, you can whip up a batch, store them in the freezer, and drop them into a simple broth whenever the mood strikes. This soup is ideal for someone who is feeling under the weather; the kale and mushrooms are immune-boosting superstars. So regardless if you make wontons or dumplings . . . or wumplings, you’ll love this soup!

INGREDIENTS:
8 C water
2 tsp Better than Bouillon vegetable base
3 Tbs red miso
1 bunch lacinato (dinosaur) kale, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped or sliced
16-oz cremini mushrooms, diced fine
2 tsp sesame oil
2 Tbs tamari or soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
30 wonton wrappers
Kale and Wonton Soup -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Place the diced mushrooms in a medium bowl and drizzle with the sesame oil and tamari, then sprinkle on the ginger. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mushrooms and combine everything well.
Kale and Wonton Soup -- Epicurean Vegan

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms soften. Drain the liquid or use a slotted spoon to transfer the mushrooms to a small bowl. To make the wontons, I recommending following these instructions. I’m not sure where I went wrong in the process, but that’s okay, I’m still happy with my wumplings. The trick is to not overfill them and to have a little dish of water nearby to dab onto the wrappers to form a seal. Place the wontons on a cookie sheet, making sure they don’t touch.
Kale and Wonton Soup -- Epicurean VeganUPDATE: Look at my second attempt at making wontons! Much better!
Kale and Wonton Soup -- Epicurean Vegan

Place in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Once frozen, you can then either use them or store in a Ziploc bag. To make the broth, whisk together the water, bouillon, and miso. Add the green onion and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the kale. Drop the wontons into the soup pot and cook until heated through, about 3-4 minutes. I used all 30, but feel free to use as many as you want. Serve immediately. Enjoy! (For leftovers, I recommend storing the broth and wontons separately to ensure the wontons don’t get saturated and fall apart.)

Kale & Wonton Soup
 
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Okay, I get it; those are some really ugly-looking wontons. I clearly need to work on my wonton-making skills. Maybe they're more like dumplings. If I called them dumplings would that have been better? Well, wontons . . . dumplings . . . they taste amazing. I got an instant "Oh, hell yeah," after The Husband took one bite. In fact, he said this soup rivals his all-time favorite dish: tacos. The broth alone got some noteworthy accolades. Despite my obvious lack of wonton origami, they are actually super easy to make. (I have to give myself points for the fact that my "wumplings" stayed together!) In fact, they're such a breeze to make, you can whip up a batch, store them in the freezer, and drop them into a simple broth whenever the mood strikes. This soup is ideal for someone who is feeling under the weather; the kale and mushrooms are immune-boosting superstars. So regardless if you make wontons or dumplings . . . or wumplings, you'll love this soup!
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 8 C water
  • 2 tsp Better than Bouillon vegetable base
  • 3 Tbs red miso
  • 1 bunch lacinato (dinosaur) kale, chopped
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped or sliced
  • 16-oz cremini mushrooms, diced fine
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 Tbs tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 30 wonton wrappers
Directions
  1. Place the diced mushrooms in a medium bowl and drizzle with the sesame oil and tamari, then sprinkle on the ginger. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the mushrooms and combine everything well.
  2. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms soften. Drain the liquid or use a slotted spoon to transfer the mushrooms to a small bowl. To make the wontons, I recommending following these instructions. I'm not sure where I went wrong in the process, but that's okay, I'm still happy with my wumplings. The trick is to not overfill them and to have a little dish of water nearby to dab onto the wrappers to form a seal. Place the wontons on a cookie sheet, making sure they don't touch.
  3. Place in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Once frozen, you can then either use them or store in a Ziploc bag. To make the broth, whisk together the water, bouillon, and miso. Add the green onion and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the kale. Drop the wontons into the soup pot and cook until heated through, about 3-4 minutes. I used all 30, but feel free to use as many as you want. Serve immediately. Enjoy! (For leftovers, I recommend storing the broth and wontons separately to ensure the wontons don't get saturated and fall apart.)

 

Kale & Zucchini Bowls with Lemon-Cashew Sauce

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Kale and Zucchini Bowls with Lemon-Cashew Sauce -- Epicurean Vegan

Where did the summer go? As much as I love autumn and all the wonderful soups and stews that always accompany this favorite season of mine, I’m not quite ready for it. I’m still stuck on fresh veggie bowls that are perfect for a summer evening on the patio with a glass of wine. I know it might be veggie-bowl overload for some of you, and I promise to get back in the kitchen to drum up some new vegan yumminess, but I assure you, you’ll love this fresh, lemony creation that is not only healthy, but super delicious! So go ahead, have that second glass of wine and enjoy those fresh summer veggies a little longer.

INGREDIENTS:
1 medium zucchini, spiralized
2 C fresh kale, chopped
1 C red cabbage, chopped
3 large green onion, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1 C rice blend or quinoa (cooked according to package instructions)
1/2 C pepitas
Lemon-Cashew Sauce
1 C raw cashews
2 garlic cloves
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 C lemon juice
1/3 C water
1/4 C fresh cilantro or parsley

DIRECTIONS:

I had some left over Trader Joe’s Basmati Rice Medley, so I cooked that up–only took about 15 minutes. Feel free to use any grain of your choice.
Trader Joe's Basmati Rice Medley

Meanwhile, toss all of the sauce ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. I then transferred it to a squeeze bottle. Next, combine the kale, cabbage, green onion, and red bell pepper in a large bowl; set aside. After spiralizing the zucchini, I placed them in a steamer basket and steamed it for only about 2 minutes; don’t over do it, otherwise, the zucchini gets too mushy. This step is also optional–I just preferred to soften the zucchini a little.
Kale and Zucchini Bowls with Lemon-Cashew Sauce -- Epicurean Vegan

To assemble the bowls, start with the rice, some zucchini and then the kale mixture. Top with tomatoes, avocado, pepitas, and sauce. Enjoy!

Kale & Zucchini Bowls with Lemon-Cashew Sauce
 
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Where did the summer go? As much as I love autumn and all the wonderful soups and stews that seem to accompany this favorite season of mine, I'm not quite ready for it. I'm still stuck on fresh veggie bowls that are perfect for a summer evening on the patio with a glass of wine. I know it might be veggie-bowl overload for some of you, and I promise to get back in the kitchen to drum up some new vegan yumminess, but I assure you, you'll love this fresh, lemony creation that is not only healthy, but super delicious! So go ahead, have that second glass of wine and enjoy those fresh summer veggies a little longer.
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 medium zucchini, spiralized
  • 2 C fresh kale, chopped
  • 1 C red cabbage, chopped
  • 3 large green onion, chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
  • 1 C rice blend or quinoa (cooked according to package instructions)
  • ½ C pepitas
  • Lemon-Cashew Sauce
  • 1 C raw cashews
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ C lemon juice
  • ⅓ C water
  • ¼ C fresh cilantro or parsley
Directions
  1. I had some left over Trader Joe's Basmati Rice Medley, so I cooked that up--only took about 15 minutes. Feel free to use any grain or your choice.
  2. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. I then transfer it to a squeeze bottle. Next, combine the kale, cabbage, green onion, and red bell pepper in a large bowl; set aside. After spiralizing the zucchini, I placed them in a steamer basket and steamed it for only about 2 minutes; don't over do it, otherwise, the zucchini gets too mushy. This step is also optional--I just preferred to soften the zucchini a little.
  3. To assemble the bowls, start with the rice, some zucchini and then the kale mixture. Top with tomatoes, avocado, pepitas, and sauce. Enjoy!

 

Quinoa & Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce

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Quinoa & Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean Vegan

I love fresh veggie bowls. They’re so easy to make, plus you can customize them they way you like ’em. I also love to experiment with the sauces and dressings. I think you’ll enjoy this Orange-Tahini Sauce, but to really make it a hard decision, here’s a list of other dressings to suit your fancy:

Cashew-Curry Sauce

Thai-Curry Sauce

Peanut Sauce

Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce

Cilantro-Lime Cashew Sauce

Coconut-Garlic Cashew Sauce

Cilantro-Ginger Cashew Sauce

Lemony-Almond Butter Dressing

Tahini Dressing

Thai Peanut Sauce

Orange-Maple Miso Dressing

(I obviously like to make cashew-based sauces!) There’s a ton of variations of veggie bowls out there, but sometimes, simplicity is the way to go. These fresh and delicious, gluten-free and soy-free bowls are easy to make and chances are, you already have the ingredients in  your fridge, so chop chop!

INGREDIENTS:
Bowls
1 C quinoa
2 C vegetable broth
4-5 C chopped kale
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
pepitas
Orange-Tahini Sauce
3/4 C tahini
1/2 C orange juice
1 Tbs sesame oil
2 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 Tbs tamari
1 Tbs agave
salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, combine the broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed. Pile the kale on top and replace the lid. Let the kale steam for about 10 minutes, then stir it into the quinoa.
Quinoa and Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce -- Epicurean Vegan

To make the sauce, combine everything in a food processor and blend until smooth. I then transferred it to a squeeze bottle. Assemble the bowls by placing a scoop or two of the quinoa mix in a bowl and top with garbanzo beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and sauce. It’s that easy. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
There's a ton of variations of veggie bowls out there, but sometimes, simplicity is the way to go. These fresh and delicious, gluten-free and soy-free bowls are easy to make and chances are, you already have the ingredients in your fridge, chop chop!
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • Bowls
  • 1 C quinoa
  • 2 C vegetable broth
  • 4-5 C chopped kale
  • 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
  • pepitas
  • Orange-Tahini Sauce
  • ¾ C tahini
  • ½ C orange juice
  • 1 Tbs sesame oil
  • 2 Tbs white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbs tamari
  • 1 Tbs agave
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed.
  2. Pile the kale on top and replace the lid. Let the kale steam for about 10 minutes, then stir it into the quinoa.
  3. To make the sauce, combine everything in a food processor and blend until smooth. I then transferred it to a squeeze bottle.
  4. Assemble the bowls by placing a scoop or two of the quinoa mix in a bowl and top with garbanzo beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and sauce. It's that easy. Enjoy!

 

Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce

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Layered Mexican Casserole with a creamy cilantro-chipotle sauce -- Epicurean Vegan

I started out thinking I was going to make this King Ranch Casserole, but I had this amazing chipotle paste my mom gave me that she picked up at Sur la table and figured I could liven up this dish.
Layered Mexican Casserole, Chipotle PasteIt gave the sauce a spicy, smoky flavor that was unique and flavorful. I also had some leftover taco ingredients from the other night, so this dish was meant to be. Sure, it’s got your typical Mexican ingredients such as black beans, onions, and bell pepper, but I also threw in some mushrooms and kale. The creamy sauce makes it happen though! Creamy, flavorful and just the right amount of spice.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 C mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch of kale, torn or chopped into bite-sized pieces
15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce
3 tbs vegan margarine
2 C unsweetened almond milk
1 C packed fresh cilantro leaves
2 tsp chipotle paste
4 tbs four
3 Tbs nutritional yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
The rest
24 6″ corn tortillas
1 large tomato, chopped
1 small can sliced black olives
3/4 C sliced green onion
1-2 C vegan shredded cheese
Optional toppings: vegan sour cream, salsa, diced avocado or guacamole

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat the oil and garlic over medium heat. Cook 1-2 minutes, then add the bell pepper and onion. Saute 5-7 minutes, until they begin to soften.
Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean VeganAdd the kale and mushrooms and cook over medium-low heat until they begin to wilt and soften. I don’t like to cook mushrooms down too much–I want them to still have a “meaty” texture. Gently fold in the black beans then remove from the heat.
Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean VeganCombine the flour and nutritional yeast in a small bowl; set aside. To make the sauce, combine the almond milk, cilantro, and chipotle paste in the food processor; transfer to a measuring cup or something with a pour spout. Next, over medium-low heat, melt the margarine in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the flour-nutritional yeast mixture; you’ll end up with a paste-like sauce. Whisk in about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the milk and let thicken before adding a little more. Repeat process until you’ve added all the milk. Season with salt and pepper.

Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean VeganTo assemble the casserole, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan. Lay 6 tortillas on the bottom.
Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean VeganSpread 1/3 of the bean-veggie mixture on top of the tortillas. Drizzle on some sauce and sprinkle with a little vegan cheese.
Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean VeganDo this two more times, however, don’t drizzle the sauce a third time; save it for the very top. Layer the last six tortillas on top, then spread the sauce on them. Top with green onion, black olives, tomatoes, and more cheese.
Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean VeganBake uncovered for 30 minutes. Top individual servings with any optional toppings and enjoy!
Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce -- Epicurean Vegan

Layered Mexican Casserole with a Creamy Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce
 
Print
I started out thinking I was going to make this King Ranch Casserole, but I had this amazing chipotle paste my mom gave me that she picked up at Sur la table and figured I could liven up this dish.It gave the sauce a spicy, smoky flavor that was unique and flavorful. I also had some leftover taco ingredients from the other night, so this dish was meant to be. Sure, it's got your typical Mexican ingredients such as black beans, onions, and bell pepper, but I also threw in some mushrooms and kale. The creamy sauce makes it happen though! Creamy, flavorful and just the right amount of spice.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ large onion, chopped
  • 2 C mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 bunch of kale, torn or chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • Cilantro-Chipotle Sauce
  • 3 tbs vegan margarine
  • 2 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 C packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 tsp chipotle paste
  • 4 tbs four
  • 3 Tbs nutritional yeast
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • The rest
  • 24 6" corn tortillas
  • 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 1 small can sliced black olives
  • ¾ C sliced green onion
  • 1-2 C vegan shredded cheese
  • Optional toppings: vegan sour cream, salsa, diced avocado or guacamole
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat the oil and garlic over medium heat. Cook 1-2 minutes, then add the bell pepper and onion. Saute 5-7 minutes, until they begin to soften.
  2. Add the kale and mushrooms and cook over medium-low heat until they begin to wilt and soften. I don't like to cook mushrooms down too much--I want them to still have a "meaty" texture. Gently fold in the black beans then remove from the heat.
  3. Combine the flour and nutritional yeast in a small bowl; set aside. To make the sauce, combine the almond milk, cilantro, and chipotle paste in the food processor; transfer to a measuring cup or something with a pour spout. Next, over medium-low heat, melt the margarine in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the flour-nutritional yeast mixture; you'll end up with a paste-like sauce. Whisk in about a ¼ to ½ cup of the milk and let thicken before adding a little more. Repeat process until you've added all the milk. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. To assemble the casserole, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Lay 6 tortillas on the bottom.
  5. Spread ⅓ of the bean-veggie mixture on top of the tortillas. Drizzle on some sauce and sprinkle with a little vegan cheese.
  6. Do this two more times, however, don't drizzle the sauce a third time; save it for the very top. Layer the last six tortillas on top, then spread the sauce on them. Top with green onion, black olives, tomatoes, and more cheese.
  7. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Top individual servings with any optional toppings and enjoy!

 

Sweet Potato-Black Bean Mole Stew

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Sweet Potato-Black Bean Mole Soup -- Epicurean Vegan

Holy mole! Okay, that was cheezy, but seriously . . . holy mole! We all know sweet potatoes and black beans go together like peanut butter and jelly, so how about a stew? Oh, and kale? Yes, please. It is officially winter around here and this is the perfect stew for a cold night. And, it’s ready in 30 minutes. No joke. Plus, you can’t beat the immune-boosting powers of kale and mushrooms. Again . . . the perfect stew. You could dress it up with some cilantro, chives, maybe even some corn chips and vegan cheddar shreds, but why mess with a good thing? (But you can if you want to.)  I’m loving this just the way it is. I planned to use different chili seasonings, but then I discovered this mole seasoning in my cabinet from Savory. An idea was born.
Mexican Mole seasoningI love my mole sauce, but the ease of this seasoning won out. I made this stew a bit mild, so feel free to up the ante by adding more cumin and Ancho chili powder.

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbs olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 (heaping) Tbs Mexican Mole seasoning
1 (heaping) Tbs cumin
1 (heaping) Tbs Ancho chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 C vegetable broth
1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
3-4 C mushrooms, diced
1 bunch dinosaur kale, chopped small (about 4 cups)

DIRECTIONS:
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and sweet potato and cook over medium heat until the onions begin to soften.  Add the mole seasoning, cumin, Ancho chili powder, and salt.
Sweet Potato-Black Bean Mole Stew -- Epicurean VeganPour in the broth and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and kale, and let simmer another 10 minutes. You may need to add a little more broth or water. Also, add more salt or other seasonings if you feel it needs it. Serve with corn chips and enjoy!

Sweet Potato-Black Bean Mole Stew
 
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Holy mole! Okay, that was cheezy, but seriously . . . holy mole! We all know sweet potatoes and black beans go together like peanut butter and jelly, so how about a stew? Oh, and kale? Yes, please. It is officially winter around here and this is the perfect stew for a cold night. And, it's ready in 30 minutes. No joke. Plus, you can't beat the immune-boosting powers of kale and mushrooms. Again . . . the perfect stew. You could dress it up with some cilantro, chives, maybe even some corn chips and vegan cheddar shreds, but why mess with a good thing? (But you can if you want to.) I'm loving this just the way it is. I planned to use different chili seasonings, but then I discovered this mole seasoning in my cabinet from Savory. An idea was born. I love my mole sauce, but the ease of this seasoning won out. I made this stew a bit mild, so feel free to up the ante by adding more cumin and Ancho chili powder.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 (heaping) Tbs Mexican Mole seasoning
  • 1 (heaping) Tbs cumin
  • 1 (heaping) Tbs Ancho chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 C vegetable broth
  • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
  • 3-4 C mushrooms, diced
  • 1 bunch dinosaur kale, chopped small (about 4 cups)
Directions
  1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil.
  2. Add the onion and sweet potato and cook over medium heat until the onions begin to soften.
  3. dd the mole seasoning, cumin, Ancho chili powder, and salt.
  4. Pour in the broth and let simmer for 15 minutes.
  5. Add the beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and kale, and let simmer another 10 minutes.
  6. You may need to add a little more broth or water. Also, add more salt or other seasonings if you feel it needs it. Serve with corn chips and enjoy!

 

Lentil & Wild Rice Bowls with Steamed Veggies

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Lentil and Wild Rice Bowls with Steamed Veggies 2 -- Epicurean Vegan

I love these types of meals, but I have to admit, I didn’t know where I was going with it at first. Then it clicked. This is similar to the black rice and lentils recipe, but I made some changes and even simplified a few steps. The great thing about these bowls, is that you can switch things up pretty easily, plus, they’re simple to put together. Oh, and did I mention tasty? And oh-so delicious? Well, that, too. You’ll also leave the table feeling pretty satisfied since lentils come with lots of protein and the wild rice (also high in protein) is chocked full of fiber and other vitamins and nutrients. Add some veggies and you’re in business.

INGREDIENTS:
4 C vegetable broth
1 C green lentils
1 C wild rice mix
2 C red cabbage, chopped
3 C mushrooms, quartered
3 C kale, chopped
2 large carrots, sliced into 1/4″ pieces
1 7-oz pkg. baked tofu, cubed (I used Trader Joe’s brand)
4-5 green onions, sliced
1/2 C Pepitas
Tahini-Curry Sauce
1/2 C cashews
2 garlic cloves
A 1-inch by 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
1/3 C tahini
1 can light coconut milk
2 Tbs lime juice
1-1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs yellow curry powder
2 Tbs chia seeds
Note: This makes a good amount sauce, so you can easily halve the recipe or freeze the remainder for another meal.
Baked Tofu, Trader Joe'sDIRECTIONS:
Combine the broth, lentils, and wild rice in a large soup pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45-50 minutes. Check on it after 40 minutes and test them; you may need to add more broth. In the meantime, prepare the sauce. Add the cashews, garlic, and ginger to the food processor and blend for 1 minute. Add the tahini and blend some more. Scrape the sides of the bowl, if necessary. While the processor is running, slowly add the coconut milk and lime juice. Puree well, again, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice. Next, add the curry, salt, and chia seeds; blend another minute. Transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle.
Lentils and Wild Rice Bowls with Steamed Veggies -- Epicurean Vegan

Because I was using my steamer pot for the lentils and wild rice, I used my electric steamer for the veggies. I love the steamer! If fact, I have two of them for when I make my mole tamales. Anyway, steam the carrots and cabbage for 10 minutes. Next, add the mushrooms and kale and steam another 10 minutes.
Lentils and Wild Rice Bowls with Steamed Veggies -- Epicurean Vegan

Lentils and Wild Rice Bowls with Steamed Veggies -- Epicurean VeganOnce everything is ready to go, assemble the bowls by starting with some lentil mix, veggies, tofu, pepitas, green onion, and topped with sauce. Enjoy!

Lentil & Wild Rice Bowls with Steamed Veggies
 
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I love these types of meals, but I have to admit, I didn't know where I was going with it at first. Then it clicked. This is similar to the black rice and lentils recipe, but I made some changes and even simplified a few steps. The great thing about these bowls, is that you can switch things up pretty easily, plus, they're simple to put together. Oh, and did I mention tasty? And oh-so delicious? Well, that, too. You'll also leave the table feeling pretty satisfied since lentils come with lots of protein and the wild rice (also high in protein) is chocked full of fiber and other vitamins and nutrients. Add some veggies and you're in business.
Author:
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 4 C vegetable broth
  • 1 C green lentils
  • 1 C wild rice mix
  • 2 C red cabbage, chopped
  • 3 C mushrooms, quartered
  • 3 C kale, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, sliced into ¼" pieces
  • 1 7-oz pkg. baked tofu, cubed (I used Trader Joe's brand)
  • 4-5 green onions, sliced
  • ½ C Pepitas
  • Tahini-Curry Sauce
  • ½ C cashews
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • A 1-inch by 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
  • ⅓ C tahini
  • 1 can light coconut milk
  • 2 Tbs lime juice
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbs yellow curry powder
  • 2 Tbs chia seeds
  • Note: This makes a good amount sauce, so you can easily halve the recipe or freeze the remainder for another meal.
Directions
  1. Combine the broth, lentils, and wild rice in a large soup pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45-50 minutes. Check on it after 40 minutes and test them; you may need to add more broth.
  2. In the meantime, prepare the sauce. Add the cashews, garlic, and ginger to the food processor and blend for 1 minute. Add the tahini and blend some more. Scrape the sides of the bowl, if necessary. While the processor is running, slowly add the coconut milk and lime juice. Puree well, again, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice. Next, add the curry, salt, and chia seeds; blend another minute. Transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle.
  3. Because I was using my steamer pot for the lentils and wild rice, I used my electric steamer for the veggies. I love the steamer! If fact, I have two of them for when I make my mole tamales. Anyway, steam the carrots and cabbage for 10 minutes. Next, add the mushrooms and kale and steam another 10 minutes.
  4. Once everything is ready to go, assemble the bowls by starting with some lentil mix, veggies, tofu, pepitas, green onion, and topped with sauce. Enjoy!

 

Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Kale Tacos

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Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganI’ve seen versions of this dish all over, but I wanted to keep this simple. I knew I also wanted a kick of flavor with an easy, creamy sauce. The combo of sweet potatoes, beans, and kale, is a grand slam win; a trifecta of flavors. Of course, then you add the cilantro-lime cashew sauce and it’s icing on the cake, so to speak. These were actually pretty simple to make and will easily feed four to five hungry folks. You can’t go wrong with protein-rich beans, nutrient-laden kale, and the vitamin-packed sweet potato. Eating tacos has never been healthier (or tastier)!

INGREDIENTS:
Tacos
3 C (roughly 2 medium-sized ones) sweet potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 a large onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 C Lacianto (dinosaur) kale, chopped
Olive oil
Cumin
Chili powder
Salt and pepper
Lime juice
Cashew-Cilantro sauce
1 C cashews, soaked in hot water for 30-60 minutes
1 garlic clove
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C cilantro leaves
1/3 C water
1/8 C lime juice
A dash or two of cumin
The rest
8 small flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425. Place the sweet potato pieces in a medium bowl and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with cumin and chili powder. Toss to coat. Transfer to a large baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, depending on how big the pieces of sweet potato are. Check them often for doneness.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganWhile they are roasting, saute the onion in a large skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat. Once they start to soften, add the black beans. Sprinkle with some cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. When the beans started to look a little dry, I added a little lime juice. Then add the sweet potato.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganReduce heat to low and fold in the kale.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Kale Tacos -- Epicurean VeganWhile the kale is slowly cooking down (you can add some more lime juice if things are looking dry), prepare the sauce. Drain and rinse the cashews and throw them in a food processor with the garlic clove. Blend for 5 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients (but don’t add all the water at once; you may want to tweak the consistency of the sauce) and blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Transfer to a squeeze bottle. To serve, place a scoop or two on a warm tortilla and top with sauce. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Kale Tacos
 
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I've seen versions of this dish all over, but I wanted to keep this simple. I knew I also wanted a kick of flavor with an easy, creamy sauce. The combo of sweet potatoes, beans, and kale, is a grand slam win; a trifecta of flavors. Of course, then you add the cilantro-lime cashew sauce and it's icing on the cake, so to speak. These were actually pretty simple to make and will easily feed four to five hungry folks. You can't go wrong with protein-rich beans, nutrient-laden kale, and the vitamin-packed sweet potato. Eating tacos has never been healthier (or tastier)!
Author:
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • Tacos
  • .
  • 3 C (roughly 2 medium-sized ones) sweet potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ a large onion, chopped
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 C Lacianto (dinosaur) kale, chopped
  • Olive oil
  • Cumin
  • Chili powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lime juice
  • .
  • Cashew-Cilantro sauce
  • .
  • 1 C cashews, soaked in hot water for 30-60 minutes
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ C cilantro leaves
  • ⅓ C water
  • ⅛ C lime juice
  • A dash or two of cumin
  • .
  • The rest
  • .
  • 8 small flour tortillas
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 425. Place the sweet potato pieces in a medium bowl and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with cumin and chili powder. Toss to coat. Transfer to a large baking sheet and roast for 20-30 minutes, depending on how big the pieces of sweet potato are. Check them often for doneness.
  2. While they are roasting, saute the onion in a large skillet with a little olive oil over medium heat. Once they start to soften, add the black beans. Sprinkle with some cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. When the beans started to look a little dry, I added a little lime juice. Then add the sweet potato.
  3. Reduce heat to low and fold in the kale.
  4. While the kale is slowly cooking down (you can add some more lime juice if things are looking dry), prepare the sauce. Drain and rinse the cashews and throw them in a food processor with the garlic clove. Blend for 5 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients (but don't add all the water at once; you may want to tweak the consistency of the sauce) and blend until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl, if necessary. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
  5. To serve, place a scoop or two on a warm tortilla and top with sauce. Enjoy!

 

Kale & Wild Rice Casserole

by

Kale & Wild Rice CasseroleI saw this recipe and it looked delicious, but I made several tweaks, including making it vegan. This dish has many of my favorite ingredients: kale, wild rice, and mushrooms. It’s pretty easy to make, but it does have a few steps. I recommend making the rice ahead of time, otherwise, keep in mind that it takes about 45 minutes for the rice to cook. Of course, I think it’s absolutely worth it. This dish is also easily gluten-free if you sub in a wheat-free flour (you’ll only need 5 tablespoons). A fantastic main meal or side dish that will please the troops.

INGREDIENTS:
4 C cooked wild rice (I used 2-1/2 C vegetable broth + 2 C wild rice mix from Lundberg)
3 bunches of kale, torn into large pieces
16-oz cremini mushrooms, quartered
2 Tbs Earth Balance margarine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs dried thyme
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
5 Tbs flour
1 C vegetable broth
1/2 can coconut milk (I used lite)
1/4 C nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 C Daiya mozzarella shreds
1 Tbs olive oil
1 large white onion, cut into thin slices
1/2 C panko bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS:
Start with the rice. Cook it according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine the kale with 1-1/2 cups of water. Over medium heat, steam the kale for about 5-7 minutes.
Kale & Wild Rice Casserole -- Epicurean VeganRemove the kale to a bowl and set aside. Using the same skillet, heat the margarine and add the garlic. Saute over medium-low heat and then add the mushrooms. Saute for 2 minutes, then add the thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Kale & Wild Rice Casserole -- Epicurean VeganAdd the kale to the mushrooms and sprinkle with the flour. Over medium heat, add the broth a 1/4 of a cup at a time. Let the sauce thicken a little before adding more broth. Next, slowly add the coconut milk and stir often. Fold in the nutritional yeast.
Kale & Wild Rice Casserole -- Epicurean VeganAt this point, preheat the oven to 375 and grease a 9×13″ pan. Once the rice is cooked, add it to the kale and mushroom mixture, then transfer to the baking dish. Either in a new skillet, or the same one (wiped clean), heat the olive oil and add the onions. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the Daiya cheese over the mixture, then top with the cooked onion slices. I then topped with panko, but I also recommend making breadcrumbs yourselves by chopping up two slices of bread in the food processor with 1 tbs of margarine, until you have a fine crumble. They’re so delicious!

Kale & Wild Rice Casserole -- Epicurean VeganBake uncovered for 25 minutes. Enjoy!

Kale & Wild Rice Casserole
 
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Author:
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 4 C cooked wild rice (I used 2-1/2 C vegetable broth + 2 C wild rice mix from Lundberg)
  • 3 bunches of kale, torn into large pieces
  • 16-oz cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 Tbs Earth Balance margarine
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbs dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 5 Tbs flour
  • 1 C vegetable broth
  • ½ can coconut milk (I used lite)
  • ¼ C nutritional yeast flakes
  • ½ C Daiya mozzarella shreds
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 large white onion, cut into thin slices
  • ½ C panko bread crumbs
Directions
  1. Start with the rice. Cook it according to package instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine the kale with 1-1/2 cups of water. Over medium heat, steam the kale for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the kale to a bowl and set aside.
  3. Using the same skillet, heat the margarine and add the garlic. Saute over medium-low heat and then add the mushrooms. Saute for 2 minutes, then add the thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add the kale to the mushrooms and sprinkle with the flour.
  5. Over medium heat, add the broth a ¼ of a cup at a time. Let the sauce thicken a little before adding more broth.
  6. Next, slowly add the coconut milk and stir often. Fold in the nutritional yeast.
  7. At this point, preheat the oven to 375 and grease a 9x13" pan.
  8. Once the rice is cooked, add it to the kale and mushroom mixture, then transfer to the baking dish.
  9. Either in a new skillet, or the same one (wiped clean), heat the olive oil and add the onions. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
  10. Sprinkle the Daiya cheese over the mixture, then top with the cooked onion slices.
  11. I then topped with panko, but I also recommend making breadcrumbs yourselves by chopping up two slices of bread in the food processor with 1 tbs of margarine, until you have a fine crumble.
  12. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Black Rice & Lentil Thai Bowls with Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce

by

Black Rice and Lentil Thai Bowls with Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce -- Epicurean VeganYou’re going to need a big bowl to fit in all this goodness. It’s easy to go overboard with different veggies and toppings, but I think I found a great combination for these Thai bowls. Not only are they vegan, but they’re gluten-free too. The flavors of the sauce mingle beautifully with the steamed cauliflower, tofu and kale. The pepitas also add a nice extra crunch as well. Served warm or cold, these bowls are great to take to work for a filling, protein-packed lunch.

INGREDIENTS:
2-1/2 C vegetable broth
1 C black rice
1 C green lentils
1 head cauliflower
14-oz extra firm tofu, drained, pressed and cubed
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 carrots, grated
3 C kale, chopped
1 C green onion, sliced
1/2 C pepitas
Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce:
1 C cashews, soaked in hot water for about an hour
2 cloves garlic
1 can coconut milk
1 Tbs fresh ginger, grated
2 Tbs peanut butter
Juice from one lime
1 Tbs curry powder
1 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
To begin, combine the rice, lentils and vegetable broth in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Stir, reduce heat, and cover; cook for 40-45 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to get everything else prepared: chop the veggies, saute the tofu and steam the cauliflower. For the tofu, I just sauteed the cubes in a dry skillet until slightly browned. Steam the cauliflower florets for about 8-10 minutes—not too much though because you want to avoid making the cauliflower too mushy (unless you like that sort of thing). I prefer them to have a little bit of crunch. To make the sauce, toss the garlic cloves in a food processor and mince. Next, add all of the other sauce ingredients and puree for several minutes until completely smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until it thickens just a little—only a couple of minutes.

Black Rice and Lentil Thai Bowls with Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce -- Epicurean VeganOnce the rice and lentils are done, fluff with a spoon. To serve, start with some rice-lentil mixture, then add the kale, tofu, cauliflower, carrots, green onions, sauce and top with the pepitas. Absolutely delicious! Enjoy!

Black Rice & Lentil Thai Bowls with Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce
 
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Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
You're going to need a big bowl to fit in all this goodness. It's easy to go overboard with different veggies and toppings, but I think I found a great combination for these Thai bowls. Not only are they vegan, but they're gluten-free too. The flavors of the sauce mingle beautifully with the steamed cauliflower, tofu and kale. The pepitas also add a nice extra crunch as well. Served warm or cold, these bowls are great to take to work for a filling, protein-packed lunch.
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2-1/2 C vegetable broth
  • 1 C black rice
  • 1 C green lentils
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 14-oz extra firm tofu, drained, pressed and cubed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 3 C kale, chopped
  • 1 C green onion, sliced
  • ½ C pepitas
  • .
  • Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce:
  • .
  • 1 C cashews, soaked in hot water for about an hour
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 Tbs fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 Tbs peanut butter
  • Juice from one lime
  • 1 Tbs curry powder
  • 1 tsp salt
Directions
  1. To begin, combine the rice, lentils and vegetable broth in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Stir, reduce heat, and cover; cook for 40-45 minutes.
  2. This will give you plenty of time to get everything else prepared: chop the veggies, saute the tofu and steam the cauliflower.
  3. For the tofu, I just sauteed the cubes in a dry skillet until slightly browned.
  4. Steam the cauliflower florets for about 8-10 minutes---not too much though because you want to avoid making the cauliflower too mushy (unless you like that sort of thing). I prefer them to have a little bit of crunch.
  5. To make the sauce, toss the garlic cloves in a food processor and mince. Next, add all of the other sauce ingredients and puree for several minutes until completely smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until it thickens just a little---only a couple of minutes.
  6. Once the rice and lentils are done, fluff with a spoon.
  7. To serve, start with some rice-lentil mixture, then add the kale, tofu, cauliflower, carrots, green onions, sauce and top with the pepitas. Absolutely delicious! Enjoy!

 

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