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Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Black Beans

October 4, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans -- Epicurean VeganThis has been a favorite at our house for some time now. I found the original recipe on Pinterest, but have just tweaked it a little here and there. I also double the recipe because it makes great leftovers. I like to serve this with some tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado and vegan sour cream, but we’ve also been known to scoop it into a warm flour or corn tortilla with all fixins’ like tomato, cilantro, avocado, etc. It’s so easy to make; just toss in a slow cooker and it’s ready in about 3 hours. (And it’s gluten-free!) You can sub in any other kind of bean, such as kidney or chili beans, but I also think some lentils would be perfect too. And why not throw in a diced red bell pepper? The possibilities are endless!

INGREDIENTS:
2 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 C vegetable broth
1-1/2 C tri-color quinoa
1 C salsa
2 bay leaves
3 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
Black pepper, to taste
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cubed
1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
Vegan sour cream
Corn tortilla chips
Optional: flour tortillas or corn taco shells

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the beans, broth, quinoa, salsa, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and garlic powder in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. If you can, stir it around once or twice. Once done, stir in the lime zest and juice. Season individual servings with pepper and top with avocado, cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy with tortilla chips.

Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Black Beans
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
3 hours 30 mins
Total time
3 hours 35 mins
 
This has been a favorite at our house for some time now. I found the original recipe on Pinterest, but have just tweaked it a little here and there. I also double the recipe because it makes great leftovers. I like to serve this with some tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado and vegan sour cream, but we've also been known to scoop it into a warm flour or corn tortilla with all fixins' like tomato, cilantro, avocado, etc. It's so easy to make; just toss in a slow cooker and it's ready in about 3 hours. (And it's gluten-free!) You can sub in any other kind of bean, such as kidney or chili beans, but I also think some lentils would be perfect too. And why not throw in a diced red bell pepper? The possibilities are endless!
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 2 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 C vegetable broth
  • 1-1/2 C tri-color quinoa
  • 1 C salsa
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Zest and juice from 1 lime
  • 1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cubed
  • 1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Vegan sour cream
  • Corn tortilla chips
  • Optional: flour tortillas or corn taco shells
Directions
  1. Combine the beans, broth, quinoa, salsa, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and garlic powder in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. If you can, stir it around once or twice.
  2. Once done, stir in the lime zest and juice.
  3. Season individual servings with pepper and top with avocado, cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy with tortilla chips.
3.4.3177

 

 

Filed Under: Dinners, Lunches Tagged With: avocado, black beans, easy, gluten-free, Mexican, quinoa, slow cooker, tortillas

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

August 15, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup -- Epicurean VeganYep, 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.
Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup -- Epicurean VeganAdd everything, including the Field Roast mixture into the slow cooker and combine well. Cook on low for about 5-6 hours.
Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup -- Epicurean VeganTop individual servings with avocado, cilantro, sour cream and tortilla strips. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup
 
Print
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
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and Field Roast. Saute until browned.
  2. Add everything, including the Field Roast mixture into the slow cooker and combine well. Cook on low for about 5-6 hours.
  3. Top individual servings with avocado, cilantro, sour cream and tortilla strips. Enjoy!
3.4.3177

 

Filed Under: Soups Tagged With: avocado, black beans, cilantro, crock pot, fast and easy, Mexican, roasted red peppers, slow cooker, tortilla strips, vegan tortilla soup

Wild Mushroom & Miso Soup

December 11, 2013 by epicureanvegan

Wild Mushroom and Miso Soup -- Epicurean VeganFor mushroom lovers like us, this soup certainly made us very happy. Some friends had brought it to a get together and we all demanded the recipe. It is from The Vegetarian Slow Cooker.  This soup requires just a tad of prep work, but then it all goes into the slow cooker. Not only is this soup savory and full of flavor, but the mushrooms are packed full of immune boosters—perfect for fighting off the winter chills and colds.

INGREDIENTS:
1 (1/2 oz) pkg dried porcini mushrooms (I could only find the 3/4 oz package, which I used all of)
1 C hot water (I added a bit more since I used more mushrooms)
1 Tbs olive oil
2 leeks, (mostly white parts and a little of the green) sliced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cracked peppercorns (I used ground—didn’t have the peppercorns)
1 bay leaf
8-oz shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and thinly sliced (I recommend adding more–they cook down quite a bit)
8-oz cremini mushrooms, stems removed and quartered (Again, I’d add more)!
6 C vegetable broth
1 C water
1/4 C miso
Optional: fresh snipped chives

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine the dried porcini mushrooms and the hot water. Let sit for 30 minutes. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain the mushrooms, reserving the liquid. Finely chop up the porcinis and set aside. In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks, carrot and celery for about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, and porchinis. Cook for a minute, then add the reserved liquid.

Wild Mushroom and Miso Soup -- Epicurean VeganTransfer to a slow cooker and add the shiitake and cremini mushrooms, along with the broth and water.

Wild Mushroom and Miso Soup -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours OR on low for 6 hours. Stir in the miso and cook on high for 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and ladle into separate bowls; garnish with chives. Enjoy!

Wild Mushroom & Miso Soup
 
Print
For mushroom lovers like us, this soup certainly made us very happy. Some friends had brought it to a get together and we all demanded the recipe. It is from The Vegetarian Slow Cooker. This soup requires just a tad of prep work, but then it all goes into the slow cooker. Not only is this soup savory and full of flavor, but the mushrooms are packed full of immune boosters---perfect for fighting off the winter chills and colds.
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 (1/2 oz) pkg dried porcini mushrooms (I could only find the ¾ oz package, which I used all of)
  • 1 C hot water (I added a bit more since I used more mushrooms)
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 leeks, (mostly white parts and a little of the green) sliced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cracked peppercorns (I used ground---didn't have the peppercorns)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8-oz shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and thinly sliced (I recommend adding more--they cook down quite a bit)
  • 8-oz cremini mushrooms, stems removed and quartered (Again, I'd add more)!
  • 6 C vegetable broth
  • 1 C water
  • ¼ C miso
  • Optional: fresh snipped chives
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, combine the dried porcini mushrooms and the hot water. Let sit for 30 minutes. Using a fine mesh strainer, drain the mushrooms, reserving the liquid. Finely chop up the porcinis and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks, carrot and celery for about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, and porchinis. Cook for a minute, then add the reserved liquid.
  3. Transfer to a slow cooker and add the shiitake and cremini mushrooms, along with the broth and water.
  4. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours OR on low for 6 hours.
  5. Stir in the miso and cook on high for 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and ladle into separate bowls; garnish with chives. Enjoy!
3.4.3177

Filed Under: Dinners, Soups Tagged With: carrots, celery, cremini mushrooms, easy, immune boosting, leeks, miso, mushrooms, savory, shiitake mushrooms, slow cooker, soup, The Vegetarian Slow Cooker

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The Epicurean Vegan is devoted to those wanting to eat healthy, save animals, and reduce their carbon footprint. My decision to go vegan started out as a quest to get healthier, but the more I learned about veganism, the more I realized how damaging the meat and dairy industries are to the environment and, of course, the animals. And it is for these reasons, that I would never go back to eating or wearing animal products. Ever.
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