Black Bean Tempeh Chili Topper

This is a quick and easy recipe that arose out of a need to use up leftover black beans and tempeh. Eat it on its own or use it as a topper for rice or other grains and add your favorite raw veggies for a sensational chili bowl!

Ingredients:
1 can black beans rinsed
1 can hominy rinsed
1 jar campfire salsa or your favorite salsa!
1/4 cup water
1tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup ground black pepper
4 cloves garlic minced
1 large onion diced
1 large red pepper diced
1/2 package of tempeh crumbled or any leftover tempeh that has been marinated or baked just chop it up
2 tbl cacao powder
1 tbl tomato paste
3 tbl water mixed with powder and paste

In a large saucepan, saute the onions, red pepper and garlic in olive oil until onion is transluscent. Add the cumin, pepper, salt and chili powder and mix until fragrant. Add the salsa, 1/4 cup water, hominy, black beans and crumbled tempeh. Cover and simmer 10-15 min until the mixture is well combined. In a small cup mix tomato paste, cacao powder and 3 tbl water until a sauce forms. Combine the sauce and the black bean mixture and simmer uncovered for a while longer, tasting to adjust salt or flavor as you wish.

**This chili is thick and delicious and can be served on its own with tortilla chips or scooped over brown rice or quinoa. Add avocado, raw onion, cilantro or lime juice too!

My Husbands Gluten Free Pasta Salad

My husband has many amazing qualities but until now I would not have listed cooking among the reasons I married him. I always knew he was capable of making meals but his interest was never strong enough and he was always content being the ‘sous’ chef in the household. Recently we completed a Spring Detox program which we try to make an annual endeavor and this time we both felt particularly energized and unburdened by letting go of caffeine, sugar, and for my husband flesh foods and dairy. (Yes folks, the vegan girl married an omnivore! I never imagined he would ever be a vegan much less be COOKING vegan for ME!) One night last week I came home to this delicious pasta salad that he had concocted and we are happy to share it here with you!

Ingredients

1 box Jovial Brand Farfalle Pasta (bow ties)

5cloves garlic minced

1 cup broccoli florets diced and lightly steamed

¼ cup diced radishes

5 sundried tomatoes diced

1/2 of Vidalia onion diced

¼ cup artichoke hearts diced

½ cup cucumber diced

¼ cup calamata olives diced

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

2-4TBL olive oil

2-4TBL marinating juice from jar of artichoke hearts

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: grated Violife Vegan Parmesan

In a large soup pot boil the brown rice pasta until soft. Drain and rinse with cold water and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix until well combined and add more oil, salt or pepper to taste. Refrigerate or serve immediately.

*Optional: serve with homemade hummus or diced avocado

** I find the Jovial brand brown rice pasta to be the best for cold salad options. Other brands tend to stiffen up when served cold.

Tempeh Chili

There is nothing better than supporting other artist/makers, especially when they are my friends! Bowl by Quail Pottery. Hand dyed cloth napkin by Flatland Alpacas.

This is a throw together, ready in an hour easy vegan chili. It was inspired by a recipe for pozole, my husband loves from the Thug Kitchen Cookbook (which is a household favorite). It makes a big pot so be ready for leftovers!

Ingredients

2 Tbl olive oil

1 medium onion diced

5 gloves garlic minced

4 cubanelle peppers (or 2 green or red peppers)

1 package tempeh

1 22oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 can black beans

1 can chick peas

1 can hominy

1 can corn (I know this is redundant because hominy is corn but it’s nice to have pops of yellow in the chili! )

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne

1/4 tsp chipotle

1 Tbl cocoa powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 cups water

Garnish (optional)

sliced avocado

shredded red cabbage

lime juice

cilantro

sliced radishes

slivered green onion

Saute onion and oil over medium heat until the onion begins to turn translucent. Add garlic and peppers and toss until fragrant. Add spices except cocoa and crumble tempeh and stir until well coated. Add beans, hominy, corn and crushed tomato, cocoa and water. Mix thoroughly and simmer on low heat for 20min-45min (if you have the time, let this simmer for longer, it only gets better with time.) If you like your chili more loose, add another cup of water. Serve warm with garnish of your choice.

Blackened Tempeh

Blackened Tempeh with Roasted Brussell Sprouts and Brown Rice Pasta

Tempeh is a soybean product made by culturing and fermenting soybeans into a block form. It's high in protein, holds its shape and easily accepts marinades and can be fried, baked, roasted or crumbled into soups, sauces or stir fry. This is an easy way to prepare tempeh and pair it with pasta, stir fry, veggies or breakfast/brunch.

Ingredients

2 packages tempeh cut into 1/2 inch wide strips

3 Tbl Canola Oil

Marinade: 

2 Tbl soy sauce

1/4 cup water

1 Tbl Siracha

2 Tbl Olive Oil

Blackening Seasoning

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Use a steaming basket to steam tempeh for 8-10 min. Steaming helps soften the tempeh so it can soak up the marinade. It also helps sweeten the tempeh.

While the tempeh is steaming, mix the marinade in a mason jar or small bowl and shake the jar or whisk in a bowl to mix. Once the tempeh has steamed, remove it from the steaming basket and set into a shallow dish and pour marinade over it. Make sure it's evenly coated. Let sit while you mix the seasoning.

Mix ingredients for the blackening seasoning in a shallow bowl and set aside. Prepare a non stick frying pan with 3 Tbl of canola oil and heat over medium heat. Dredge each strip of tempeh into the blackening seasoning and carefully lay them into the hot oil. Allow to cook 2-3 min and flip to brown each side.

Serving Suggestions:

• Sandwiches

• Stir Fry

• With Rice or Pasta

• With Roasted Veggies

Vegan Broccoli Quiche

photo credit: Amma Rhea Photography

Ingredients

1 ½ cups raw cashews soaked overnight

½ cup cannellini beans

1 ½ tsp garlic powder

4 Tbl Nutritional Yeast

1 tsp turmeric

½ tsp black salt

2 Tbl garbanzo bean flour

2 tbl unsweetened almond milk

¼ tsp celery seed

¼ cup diced onion

½ cup steamed and chopped broccoli

1 Tbl tofu bacon bits (optional)

1 package of frozen prepared pie crust

In a food processor blend: cashews, beans, garlic powder, yeast, flour, salt and turmeric until smooth.

Preheat oven to 375.  Par-bake the crust for 10 min and set aside to cool. Saute onion, broccoli until onion is browned. Add celery seed, tofu bacon bits. In a large bowl combine cashew mixture and veggies with almond milk. Fill the mini crusts and bake for 35 min or until filling is firm and crust is golden brown.

*options: replace broccoli with roasted potatoes, spinach or any veggie of your choice!

Vegan, Gluten Free Mac & "Cheese"

What's better than comfort food in the Winter? When you're looking for a hearty and tasty easy one pot wonder, this yum yum will do the trick!  Despite the fact that this dish clearly takes center stage at any meal, it's the 'right thing to do' to add veggies and a protein, so I served up a side of roasted brussell sprouts and marinated pan fried tempeh. Nom, nom nom!

Ingredients

1/2 lb gluten free pasta (i used shells but it works fine with any shape pasta)

6 Tbl melted Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread

6 Tbl Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

2 Tbl Mustard Powder

Salt / Pepper to taste

1/3cup Nutritional Yeast

1 1/2 cups Daiya Cheddar Cheese Shreds

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup gluten free breadcrumbs

First get your water boiling for your pasta. Add a pinch of salt and a Tbl of olive oil and while you're waiting make your "cheese" sauce. (keep an eye on your water and toss in the pasta once it boils).

Preheat your oven to 350. On the stove top, over low heat, melt the butter in a saucepan and add flour and mustard powder. Whisk quickly and add almond milk continue to whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Add yeast and cheese and continue to whisk over low heat until the mixture is smooth, (do not boil as you will boil out the nutrients in the yeast!) add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat, cover and set aside until your pasta is cooked.

Drain your pasta and add it to the cheese sauce and stir to fully coat. Pour the mixture into a casserole, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake for approx 30 min or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve!