Super Simple Salsa Chili.

I absolutely LOVE the book The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell. I discovered it not long after I went vegan, and fell in love with both his method, AND the cookbook that went along with the plan. Being a new vegan, I was an avid recipe follower, and perused cookbooks daily searching for a recipe that intrigued me (this was obviously before I started experimenting with MY OWN creations...and TFVG was born!). The China Study Cookbook was my very favorite of ALL the vegan cookbooks I ever had...and one recipe in particular really sticks in my mind...er, my tastebuds. It was a hearty vegetable stew recipe that has a secret ingredient to add a flavor punch: JARRED SALSA! Yes, you did, in fact, read that correctly. Good 'ol tex-mex style salsa. No, I'm not kidding. (Don't knock it till you try it, people.)

Although I don't remember the exact recipe for this bomb-diggity delicious stew, I've frequently thrown some salsa into my pot when I feel like it's lacking some flavor...and I have yet to be disappointed! So here's one of my favorite chili recipes that uses salsa as the main flavor booster--it's super simple and only takes about 10 minutes, start to finish...and depending on the heat of the salsa you use, this comforting bowl of goodness can pack QUITE the punch! Enjoy, my dears. :)

Super Simple Salsa Chili.

Super Simple Salsa Chili. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1-2 cups vegetable broth (more or less, depending on how thick you want your chili)

2. 1/2 cup TVP granules, cooked in 1/2 cup water

3. onion and garlic powders, to taste

4. 1 cup frozen broccoli florets

5. 1/2 cup jarred salsa, heat of choice 

Method 

1. Combine TVP and water in a medium-sized microwaveable bowl and nuke for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from microwave and set aside. 

2. Combine veggie broth, TVP, and broccoli in a small/medium-sized soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir in salsa. Simmer 10-15 minutes for flavors to mingle. 

3. Remove stew from heat and stir well. Pour into large bowl and serve hot, with crusty bread for dipping. 

Snowstorm Stew!

So, if you haven't noticed, it's snowing outside. ;)
I have to admit--this is probably the most snow I've ever seen in my life...and the "stormiest" snow episode I've ever lived through! Being from Central Virginia originally, I didn't grow up used to seeing "snowmaggedons" every winter...the most snow I ever remember getting as a child was 10 inches! But this?! This is actually frightening. Yes, you read that correctly. I am actually scared as I sit here and type this while I simultaneously watch the snow blowing wildly outside. *sigh*
Anywho, this is a really quick and yummy stew that's PERFECT for a snowy day like today--warming from the inside out and chock full of nutrient-rich veggies, this stew is certain to make it on your "fave recipes" list. Enjoy! And stay warm :)

Snowstorm Stew!

Snowstorm Stew! Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one.

Ingredients

1. 1 cup canned pumpkin puree

2. 1 cup no-salt-added vegetable broth

3. one small zucchini, chopped

4. one small carrot, peeled and chopped (or 6 baby carrots)

5. 1 cup frozen florets

6. 1/2 cup canned, no-salt-added diced tomatoes

7. 1/3 cup frozen corn

8. 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

9. herbs and spices of choice

10. salt, to taste

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized soup pot and stir well. 

2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 5 minutes.

3. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring regularly, for 10-15 minutes for flavors to mingle.

4. Scoop into a LARGE bowl (this makes A LOT!) and serve. (I topped mine with ground golden flaxseed for texture--delish!)

Radish Chili.

Yet ANOTHER random food creation that is so good it deserves a whole blog post! Enjoy my dinner, guys 😂👌

                     Radish Chili. 

Radish Chili. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 c vegetable broth

2. 1/2 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed

3. 1/2 cup tvp

4. Onion and garlic powders

5. Scant 1/2 cup water

6. 1/2 cup jarred salsa, heat of choice

7. About 4 large radishes, thinly sliced

Method

1. Mix tvp with spices, water, and a dash of braggs liquid aminos. Microwave 1 1/2 minutes. 

2. Combine all ingredients in a small soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce, simmer 10, and serve. Enjoy! 

Everything Stew.

This is YET ANOTHER random food creation of mind that was not meant to turn into a recipe...but it's too yummy not to share!  Enjoy, loves ❤️

                   Everything Stew. 

Everything Stew. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 cup water

2. 1 T braggs liquid aminos (or soy sauce)

3. 1/2 cup tvp granules 

4. 1/2 cup water

5. Spice blend: 1/4 tsp EACH of onion powder, garlic powd, fenugreek, and turmeric, plus PINCHES of pepper, paprika, and cumin. 

6. Two small (or one large) chopped Roma tomato 

7. 1 cup spinach leaves, chopped

Method

1. In a small soup pot, combine water, spice blend, and aminos. 

2. Mix tvp granules with more of the same spices listed for the spice blend (plus some aminos) and 1/2 c water. Nuke 1:30. Add to pot with chopped tomatoes. 

3. Bring to a boil, reduce, simmer 5 minutes, and stir in chopped spinach. Serve garnished with parley. Enjoy!

Pink Lady Stew!

It never fails...every February, all I want to make is pink food. I undoubtedly blame that on all the cutesy Valentine's Day displays in stores. And it really doesn't take much to get me in the mood to cook holiday-themed food...I'm so sappy! 😂 

Anywho, the idea for this awesome stew came to me while I was cooking it. Totally serious right now! I just started throwing things into a pot, and voila! New favorite recipe! Hope you enjoy! (Hint: this one is PERFECT for "Soup Sundays"!)

                   Pink Lady Stew!

     Everything's better when it's pink!

Pink Lady Stew!; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 1/3 cups water, divided

2. 2 oz sliced red onion

3. 2 tsp minced garlic 

4. 1 T Apple cider vinegar

5. 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach

6. 1 cup great northern beans (or other white beans)

7. 3/4 cup steamed, sliced beets (I used canned, actually. Just make sure they have no salt and no sugar added...just beets and water)

8. 1/2 packet stevia

9. 1/4 tsp nutmeg

10. Chives for garnish

Method 

1. Sauté onion and garlic in 1/3 cup water until soft. Add nutmeg and stir. Cook 2 minutes. 

2. Add rest of water, ACV, white beans, stevia, and spinach. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5-10 minutes. 

3. Add beets and mix well. Simmer 5-10 more minutes, until water turns a bright pink. 

4. Serve in a large bowl, and garnish with chopped chives. 

Soul-soothing Winter Vegetable Stew.

If you're like me and unluckily got sick over Christmas, you weren't doing too much "ROCKIN' around the Christmas tree"...maybe not, but after you eat a comforting bowl of this hearty stew, you're sure to feel mostly (if not ALL!) better! 

     Soul-soothing Winter Vegetable Stew. 

Soul-soothing Winter Vegetable Stew; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one.  

Ingredients

1.  1/4 cup chopped onion

2. 2 tsp minced garlic 

3. 1 2/3 c vegetable broth

4. 3/4 cup sliced steamed beets (you can used canned, just ensure no salt added)

5. 1 cup white beans

6. 1 cup frozen spinach

7. 2/3 cup frozen butternut squash cubes

8. Dash bragg's liquid aminos

9. 1/4 tsp each: basil, tarragon, sage, rosemary, thyme

10. Sprinkling of black pepper

Method

1. Sauté onion and garlic in a little veggie broth until soft. Add spices (except pepper) and aminos and stir. 

2. Add remaining veg broth, beans, spinach, and butternut squash. Bring to a boil and boil 2 minutes. 

3. Reduce to a simmer, add beets, and simmer 5 minutes. 

4. Remove from heat, add pepper, stir, and serve. Pairs beautifully with rustic toasted bread! Mmmmm.