HookedOnPlants

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easy dinner

Simple One-Pot Vegan Chili | Ready in 30

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CHILI SEASON (can I get a whooooop whoop?)

I’m going to make this post short, to the point, nutritious, and delicious, just like this simple one pot vegan chili (aka dinner in 30 minutes).

All you need is a pot, some cans from the pantry, and some of your usual suspects from the veggie kingdom.

If you want to take it up to the next level, top it off with this 5 ingredient vegan sour cream or smokey vegan parm, and of course a side of rustic sour dough (our go-to is always a fresh loaf from Whistler’s vegan bakery Ed’s Bred).

This recipe makes a lot. Freeze it or just keep it in the fridge to eat it over the next week on top of quinoa, in wraps, sloppy joe style…. you name it.

Gotta love that chili versatility action.


Simple One-Pot 3 Bean Vegan Chili
 
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A last minute dinner idea. Just need a few veggies and a few cans from the pantry, and you're dinner is ready in 30 with one pot to clean.
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 8 mushrooms, chopped (white, cremini, portobello, your choice)
  • 3 sticks of celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 tbsp veggie boullion powder (or 1 cube)
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp oregano spice
  • Pinch of salt & pepper
  • 1 large sweet potato, chopped
  • 1 jar tomato sauce (HACK: you can use pasta sauce! I used this one)
  • 1 can each: kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas (or any other beans you have), rinse first
  • 1 can of corn
  • 1 head broccoli, chopped
Instructions
  1. Oil-free sauté the onions and mushrooms (heat pan to medium, add onions and mushrooms, let brown for a few minutes, add a bit of water to de-glaze the bottom of the pan, let sauté another minute or so)
  2. Add celery, carrots, garlic, veggie boullion, cumin, chili powder and oregano with a ¼ cup of water. Mix together and let sauté 3-5 minutes
  3. Add sweet potato, beans, corn, tomato sauce and stir.
  4. Add enough water until it just covers everything.
  5. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 20 minutes.
  6. Add broccoli for the last 5 minutes.
  7. Serve it up with cashew sour cream, green onion and your fave sourdough (I'm looking at you Ed's Bred.

Making this? Tag @hookedonplants

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Creamy Carrot Shroomy Noods

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Before I go on about the how surprisingly creamy this recipe is… I invite you to say the title out loud. It’s just so satisfying. Thanks to @oliviarosepeltier over on instagram for naming this dish:) These Creamy Carrot Shroomy Noods are just that – creamyyyy!! It was a surprise to me, so maybe it will surprise you. Make it to find out.

Not only is this sauce perfect for that springtime ‘get ready for the bikini’ freak out (veggie heavy, low calorie, nutrient dense, high fibre)… but it actually brings that creamy pasta vibe, and an amazing colour.

Just steam some veggies. Sauté some things. Blend it up. Cook that pasta.

This sauce could be used for any kinda of saucy need.

A dip on a platter, a saucy addition to your burrito, a healthy nachos dish… or simply warmed up and eaten with a spoon!!

It’s a throw together kinda meal when you only have a few things to choose from. But remember, just add nooch + miso paste, and anything will taste YUM.

Japanese Pumpkin Lentil Curry Stew

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T’is the time of the year for hearty bowls of flavourful ingredients…Today, in the form of this nutrient-dense Japanese Pumpkin Lentil Curry.

There’s just something about the words ‘pumpkin’ and ‘curry’ that causes the mouth to water and the comforting vibes to shine.

Oil-free.

Ridiculously simple.

Minimal ingredients.

Lots of benefits.

If you’re wondering what a ‘Japanese Pumpkin’ might be…it’s a Kabocha Squash!

Same, same.

I love love love Kabocha. It’s packed with vitamin A and C, with some B’s in there too. Meaning your eyes, immunity and nerves will all benefit from this sweet pumpkin!

Read on for the easiest way to cook up squash.

This recipe makes a lot, but you could even double it and freeze half to be ready for a stress-free, last minute dinner in that future of yours!


Japanese Pumpkin Red Lentil Curry Stew
 
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A comforting stew, packed with nutrients, flavour and heartiness. Ready for that rustic baguette and hungry people!
Author:
Recipe type: stew, dinner, lunch
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 Japanese pumpkin (kabocha squash), halved with seeds scooped out
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 8 white or cremini mushrooms, diced or sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small jar of green or red curry paste (used Thai Kitchen curry)
  • 1 can light coconut milk (use the liquid too)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or 1 veggie bouillon cube mixed with 2 cups water)
  • 2 cups dry red lentils
  • 2 cups spinach, chopped

  • To serve:
  • Cilantro, chopped
  • Peanuts
  • Brown Rice or Quinoa as the base
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F
  2. While it's pre-heating, chop your veggies.
  3. Place the halved, de-seeded squash flesh-side down on a parchment covered or a re-usable baking sheet covered pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
  4. Oil-free sauté the first ingredients by heating your pot to medium heat, then adding the onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms. Let these sizzle for a few minutes, then de-glaze (un-stick) with a couple tablespoons of water. Continue to do this for about 7 minutes, de-glazing a few times as needed.
  5. To the pot, add the 2 minced garlic cloves and full jar of curry paste. Mix and let sauté a few minutes.
  6. Then add the full can of coconut milk, 2 cups of veggie broth and 2 cups of red lentils.
  7. Mix, bring to a boil, then let simmer for 20 minutes.
  8. Add chopped spinach.
  9. When the Kabocha Squash is done, flip the halves over to let cool for a few minutes, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon and mix it into the stew.
  10. Serve it up! On a bed of quinoa or brown rice with cilantro and peanuts on top!
Notes
*Didn't include cooking time or instructions for grain to serve it on. Pre-cooked quinoa, rice, or wheat berries are great!

Tag @hookedonplants if you make this! I love seeing your creations.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

This week is all about Plant Proof’s podcast with Dr. Alan Desmond. He gives out so much amazing information about the gut microbiome!

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Easy Cheezy Broccoli Potato Soup

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Bring back that nostalgic broccoli and cheese sauce side dish!

This Cheezy Broccoli Potato Soup does just that. It’s thick and flavourful with sooooo many nutrients.

If you’re timing tonight gives you anxiety when you even consider making dinner, this is tha soup fo’ you!!

It’s really yum with this smokey vegan parmesano, and a side of avocado toast (duh).

This is a super satiating, delicious, and incredibly nutritious soup for those times you just don’t have that time to spend alllllll hours in the kitchen.


Easy Cheezy Broccoli Potato Soup
 
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A simple, whole foods soup with that 'cheese & broccoli sauce' nostalgia!
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, lunch
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 sweet onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 heads broccoli, roughly chopped
  • 2 russet potatoes, roughly chopped
  • ¾-1 cup nutritional yeast
  • 3 tbsp tamari
  • 3 cups mushroom or vegetable broth
  • Optional for thickening: 1 tbsp corn starch or arrowroot powder, mixed with ½ cup water
  • 2 green onion, chopped
Instructions
  1. Boil potatoes until soft (place potato in a large pot, cover with water, bring to a rolling boil and let boil for 15 minutes)
  2. Steam broccoli for 5 minutes (alternatively, place broccoli florets in the boiling water with the potatoes at the 10 minute mark ~ you will lose a bit of flavour, but save on cleaning a pot)
  3. Meanwhile, water sauté onion and garlic (heat a pan to medium heat, add onion, mix around as it browns for a few minutes, then add a bit of water to de-glaze. Let it cook until translucent, add a bit of water when if it's sticking).
  4. Blend in two batches: add half of everything (broccoli, potatoes, 1½ tbsp tamari, 1 - 1½ cups broth, ½ cup nutritional yeast) to the blender and blend until almost smooth. Pour into the pot you used for potato boiling, then repeat with the rest of the ingredients.
  5. Warm the soup up for a few minutes, then stir in the optional cornstarch mixture (mix for at least 30 seconds)
  6. Serve with avocado toast, green onion, and this Smokey Vegan Parm!

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Nacho Cheeze Fries… with a secret ingredient | Vegan + GF

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Cheezy Poutine? Potato Nachos? Secretly Nutritious Cheese Fries? I DID NOT KNOW what to call this masterpiece. But, I think Nacho Cheeze Fries says it all, ya?

It’s nachos, but with fries.

It’s cheezy, but it’s a special cheeze sauce.

It’s mega nutrient-dense with the hidden ingredient of… red lentils!!!!

Red lentils are nutritional powerhouses, plus they have the magic ability to morph into a creamy sauce. In other words, they deserve to be the star secret ingredient to most things, especially this super delish, comfort-food kinda meal.

If you’re looking for a sneaky way to pump more plant protein into your kids (and yourself), look no further.

This is a good one for a back to school week dinner in 30 minutes. 

Serve it up with a side salad, or integrate the salad into the meal by wrapping each cheezy fry in a romaine leaf (my go-to lazy dinner).

You can get creative with your toppings too. I used smoked tofu (found at most grocery stores), for some smokiness and ‘meatiness’, and green onion to keep it fresh. Go for it though! Here’s some more ideas for toppers:

  • corn
  • beans
  • edamame
  • red pepper
  • artichokes
  • sautéed mushrooms
  • caramelized onions
  • veggie ground
  • cashew sour cream
  • pulled jackfruit

What ever you do, please show me by tagging @hookedonplants on instagram. I love seeing your recipes!


Nacho Cheeze Fries with a secret ingredient
 
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Satisfying in flavour and comfort, with secretly hidden nutrition! These nacho cheeze fries are a fun switch up to the typical nacho platter, with red lentil cheese sauce stealing the show. (Prep time doesn't include the optional lentil soaking)
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, lunch, snack
Serves: 4
Ingredients

  • Fries:
  • 4 russet potatoes OR 2 large sweet potatoes, rinsed, scrubbed and dried, then sliced in ¼ inch thick fry shape
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp avocado or coconut oil
  • ½ tsp sea salt or Himalayan salt

  • Toppings:
  • ½ block smoked tofu, diced
  • 2 green onions, diced
  • 1 jalepeno pepper, sliced in thin rounds
  • Salsa of choice for the side

  • Red Lentil Cheese Sauce:
  • 1 cup red lentils (soaked a few hours if possible, then rinsed, for best nutrition and digestion)
  • 1½ cup water or veggie stalk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast
  • ¼ cup soy milk, unsweetened, unflavoured
  • **optional: ¼ cup vegan mayo for extra creaminess
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F
  2. Mix the chopped potatoes with the oil and spices (except the salt!) in a bowl until evenly coated. Spread them out on a parchment-covered (or reusable baking sheet-covered) baking pan so they aren't touching each other!
  3. Bake for 30-40 minutes, on the middle rack, flipping the fries over half way through.
  4. Season with salt when they're done.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the lentils: Add the lentils to the pot with 1½ cups liquid, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes (15 minutes if they weren't pre-soaked)
  6. Make the Red Lentil Cheeze Sauce: add the cooked lentils, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, nutritional yeast, mayo (if using), and soy milk to your blender and blend until smooth. Once blended, mix in the smoked tofu chunks.
  7. Layer it up to serve! Fries first, then cheeze sauce, then green onion and jalepeno. Enjoy!

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