Soup – The Vegan Rhino

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021

Mushroom Bisque

There is nothing more satisfying during Fall than a big ol’ bowl of mushroom bisque! What makes this dish satisfying and rich with deep flavor is all from caramelizing the onions and mushrooms. Simple enough right?

Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

4 cups vegetable broth

.5 oz. dried porcini mushrooms

5 Tbsp. plant-based butter

1 cup shiitake mushrooms, chopped

4 cups baby Bella mushrooms, chopped

1/4 cup shallots, minced

1/4 cup yellow onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbsp. sherry vinegar

5 Tbsp. organic all-purpose flour

1 bay leaf

3/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

In a small pot on medium heat, boil vegetable broth and remove from heat. Add dried porcini mushrooms and steep for 30 minutes, covered. Remove mushrooms and finely chop.
In a pot on medium heat, add butter, mushrooms, chopped porcini mushrooms, onion and sauté for 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze pan with sherry vinegar and cook for 1 minute.
Sprinkle with flour and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Slowly pour the broth in as you mix, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, add bay leaf, salt, pepper, and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
Blend 1 1/2 cups of bisque and pour it back into the pot, stirring until mixed evenly.
Serve with bread or stir in non-dairy cream topped with chives.

Chef’s tip: Make the night before to let the flavors meld together.

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

Chickpea & Lentil Chili

Big bowls of warm chili on cold days make for the best afternoons during the changing of the seasons. Instead of pairing chili with pasta or eating it with chips, I’ve roasted an entire spaghetti squash instead! A local farm I get my produce from had fresh spaghetti squash so I couldn’t pass it up. This dish is great for those trying to limit carbs or want something light on the stomach.

Yield 5

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3-4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound chickpeas, cooked

1 cup cooked lentils

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 cup tomato sauce

2 cups diced tomatoes

Seasoning

2 Tbsp. + 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. ground cumin

1 Tbsp. cocoa powder

2 tsp. organic cane sugar, optional

1 1/2 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

In a pot on medium heat, add oil, onions, and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Combine remaining ingredients and stir until well combined. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and serve warm with cornbread, spaghetti, or your choice of sides.

Chef’s tip: The sugar helps to balance out the flavor and acidity of the tomatoes.

February 26, 2020May 14, 2020

Vegan Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup has always been one of my favorite soups, especially growing up as a kid. Thanks to SunFlower Family, I’m able to recreate some awesome meatless meatballs using their sunflower haché, while keeping it 100% vegan. It’s packed with protein and a great alternative to tofu, tempeh, or seitan.

Yield 54

Ingredients

3 (16 oz.) vegetable broth

2-1/4 cups chopped escarole

1 cup Acini de pepe or pearl couscous

“Meatballs”:

1 box Sunflower Haché

1 small onion, grated

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer + 4 Tbsp. filtered water, mixed

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp. Nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat air fryer or oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, soak the haché according to the box instructions. Combine the onion, parsley, egg replacer, garlic cloves, salt, breadcrumbs, and nutritional yeast. Using a Tbsp., shape the mixture into 1-inch round “meatballs”; Set aside.
In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil on medium-high heat. Add the acini de pepe, and escarole; Simmer on medium for 10 minutes, or until al dente.
Using a 1 tsp. measuring spoon, roll meatless meatballs into rounds and place into air fryer.
Cook “meatballs” for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Add to individual soup bowls with broth before serving.
Serve warm

Chef’s tip: Add a can of mashed black beans or chickpeas! The meatballs will not hold together when cooking in the broth, so be sure to cook them in the oven.

February 24, 2020May 14, 2020

Vietnamese Pho Broth

This may not be a quick recipe but it’s totally worth it! The key to a good pho is all in the broth, so make sure you let those flavors meld together. What I enjoy most about Vietnamese pho is how the soup warms you up on the inside and leaves you feeling satisfied, a real comfort food. Although it may seem like a lot of work to do at home, pho is basically broth, noddles, some veggie and herbs (or any toppings you’d like).

Yield 4

Ingredients

4 quarts water

2 onion, cut in half

8-10 slices fresh ginger, about 2-inches

6 large garlic cloves, chopped

1-1/2 Tbsp. Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

4 pods Star Anise

1/2 Tbsp. whole coriander seeds

1/2 Tbsp. fennel seed

6 whole cloves

1-2 cinnamon sticks

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, roast the onions skin side down until almost blackened, about 35 minutes.
In a small frying pan, toast the star anise, cloves, cinnamon stick, fennel and coriander seed, stirring frequently to avoided burning. Cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Place in to a cheese cloth and tie it.
In a large sauce pot, combine the onion, ginger, garlic, salt, and spice pouch. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer on low for 5 to 6 hours, covered, and strain the broth. Add the brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce; Set aside.
Serve broth with noodles, mint leaves, and bean sprouts (or whatever your favorites are).

Chef’s tip: This broth adds great flavor for other recipes, be sure to save some!

February 15, 2020May 14, 2020

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup has always been one of my favorite soups, especially growing up as a kid. Thanks to Sunflower Family USA, I’m able to re create some awesome meatless meatballs using their sunflower haché. It’s packed with protein and a great alternative to tofu, tempeh, or seitan. This is one of the best Italian wedding soups I’ve had, and I’m here to tell you how easy it truly is to make this soup. It may just be your new favorite thing to make!

Yield 54

Ingredients

3 (16 oz.) vegetable broth 12 c

2-1/4 cups chopped escarole

1 cup Acini de pepe or pearl couscous

“Meatballs”:

1 box Sunflower Haché

1 small onion, grated

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 Tbsp. Egg Replacer + 4 Tbsp. filtered water, mixed

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp. Nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat air fryer or oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, soak the haché according to the box instructions. Combine the onion, parsley, egg replacer, garlic cloves, salt, breadcrumbs, and nutritional yeast. Using a teaspoon, shape the mixture into 1-inch round “meatballs”; Set aside.
In a large pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil on medium-high heat. Add the acini de pepe, and escarole; Simmer on medium for 10 minutes, or until al dente.
Cook meatballs for 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown.
Serve soup with meatballs added at the last minute.

Chef’s tip: Do not cook the meatballs in the soup or it will fall apart.

January 7, 2020May 14, 2020

Hearty Lentil Soup

What’s more perfect than a big bowl of warm lentil soup to comfort you through those cold wintry days. The best thing about this soup is how minimal the recipe is without lacking on the flavor. Serve it up with some rustic bread that’s been slightly toasted and enjoy with your family and friends.el

Yield 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 large carrot, peeled and sliced into rounds

1 celery stalk, sliced

1 yellow onion, fine chop

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp. whole cumin seeds, pan toasted for 1 minute or until fragrant

1 cup lentils

8 cups vegetable stock

1 tsp. Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

In a large pot on medium-high heat, add the oil, onions celery, and carrots. Sauce for 5 minutes and add the garlic.
Combine the cumin, lentils, vegetable stock, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
Serve with a slice of toasted bread and drizzle of lemon juice.

Chef’s tip: Instead of cumin seeds, you can use cumin powder- just season to taste.

November 21, 2019October 31, 2020

Roasted Cauliflower Soup

Who else is is a fan of non complicated soups? Roasted to perfection, this cauliflower soup is quick-and-easy for those busy weekdays and holiday parties. Creamy, light, and full of flavor, you’ll be satisfied with every bite!

Yield

Ingredients

2 lbs. cauliflower florets

3 large shallots, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

5 cup vegetable broth

3 Tbsp. coconut cream

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Pinch of chopped chives to garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, add the cauliflower, shallots, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until tender, roughly 20 minutes. Add the garlic and roast for an addition 5 minutes.
In a pot on medium-high heat, add the roasted cauliflower, shallots, and garlic before pouring in the vegetable broth, salt, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Using a hand held immersion blender, add the coconut cream and liquify the soup until smooth. Pour the lemon juice and stir to combine.
Serve with sprinkle of chives on top.

Chef’s tip:

Other recipes

Potato-Parsnip Leek Soup

Whole Roasted Carrots

Pineapple Stuffing

March 24, 2019July 7, 2020

Traditional Miso Soup

With this warming Miso Soup, you will never need to go to a Japanese restaurant again. Miso soup is traditionalyl made with dashi granules, which is not suitable for vegans. Making your own Dashi broth by using edible kelp, gives you that flavor profile this recipe needs. Many different ingredients can be added to this soup, however I decided to go the more traditional route. If you’re interested in making a delicious soup with only a few ingredients, then this is your new go-to.

Yields 32 oz. soup

Serves 4-5 people

Ingredients

2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups water

1/2 oz. kombu (edible dried kelp)

4 Tbsp. white miso paste

2-3 green onions, sliced

4 oz. silken or soft tofu, diced

Directions

Pour the water and vegetable broth into a large pot on medium heat. Warm and add kombu; letting it steep for 30-45 minutes. Remove kombu and set aside.
Bring soup to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low.
In your ladle, stir in the miso paste with some soup before combining to the pot (too high of a temperature will kill the miso enzymes). Slowly add the diced tofu (so you don’t splatter) and green onions.
Serve immedietly.

Chef’s tip: Feel free to add dried wakame, also known as an edible seaweed. Just make sure to rehydrate it prior to adding to the soup.

March 22, 2019May 14, 2020

“Sausage” Bourguignon Stew with Rice

When it comes to comfort food, this sausage and rice stew will get the job done. Being a hearty meal, filled with potatoes, carrots, and other flavors, brings forth lots of added nutritious components. This is one of my favorites because it remind me of a “boeuf bourguignon” in French, which translates to Beef Bourguignon.

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

4 Beyond Meat sausages

1 Tbsp. Avocado oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 medium parsnips, diced

10-12 Dutch potatoes

4-5 medium carrots, diced

3 garlic cloves, smashed

3/4 cup red wine

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

2-3 sprigs thyme

1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

4 cups simple truth organic vegetable broth

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 cups white rice, cooked

Directions

In a stock pot on medium-high heat, add oil and sausages, browning each side. Remove and set aside.
Add chopped onion, parsnips, carrots, smashed garlic, potato’s, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Turn to high heat and pour in the red wine. Cook for roughly 2-3 minutes. Add the vegetable stock, tomato paste, thyme, parsley, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Give a good stir.
Once boiling again, reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes (slightly covered).
Before you serve, add the cooked rice.
Serve immediately.

Chef’s tip: Enjoy this stew with a nice slice of warm bread that has a nice crust to it.

February 6, 2019May 14, 2020

Tomato Basil Soup

This Tomato Basil Soup is perfect for those indoor days when you just want a big bowl of soup! Combing an array of herbs, spices, tomatoes, and coconut cream makes for a delicious and flavorful recipe. Tomato soup is a great comfort food alone, but an even better one when paired with a well-toasted grilled cheese sandwich or French bread rounds. Taking the time to get fresh ingredients and boiling them down to release all of their flavors is really something you don’t get out of a can which is why I highly suggest to always make your own food as much as possible. I hope that you enjoy this recipe with your friends and family!

Yields 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Soup:

8 vine ripe tomato

4 cup vegetable broth

1 medium onion, diced

1-1/2 Tbsp. tomato paste

7-9 fresh basil leaves

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/2 tsp. ground white pepper

1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1/8 cup coconut cream

Grilled Cheese:

4 slices white bread

3 Tbsp. vegan butter

6-8 slices of vegan cheese

1/4 tsp. black truffle oil, optional

Directions

In a sauce pan, combine all soup ingredients except for the coconut cream. Bring to a smaller and cover with a lid for 10 minutes.
Using a blender or hand Emerson stick, blend soup until smooth in texture. Add the coconut cream and mix to combine. Turn to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until desired consistency is achieved.
Serve with parsley or croutons

Chef’s tip: In a hurry? Combine all ingredients into a blender, heat for 10-15 minutes, and enjoy!