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Tag: soup

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Classic French Onion Soup 

French Onion Soup

This classic soup has been one of my favorites for as long as I can remember. Any time that I would see it on a menu at a restaurant, I would order it. Since going plant-based, craving French onion soup has proposed some challenges. If you’re not familiar with this drool-worthy dish, it’s traditionally made with beef broth and drenched in melted cheese—no thanks! So finally, after a long wait, I decided it’s about time to allow my taste buds to reminisce and indulge in the flavors I enjoyed so much. So here you have it, folks! A cruelty-free, plant-based spin on my favorite soup.

Photo Cred: Ivy Becker

Bonus recipe: Love bread? Try making a homemade French baguette!

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

5 large yellow onions

2 1/2 Tbsp. Annie’s Natural organics Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. Vitacost Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks

1 Tbsp. sherry

1 cup filtered water

32 oz. low-sodium vegetable broth

1 tsp. Simply Organic Thyme Leaf

1-1/2 Simply Organic Bay Leaf

1 tsp. Vitacost Fine Himalayan Pink Salt

1/2 tsp. Spicely Organics Ground Black Pepper

4 slices vegan provolone cheese

Photo Cred: Ivy Becker

Directions

  1. In large stock pot. sauté onions with  oil. Add salt and pepper. Cook 10-15 minutes on medium-low heat.
  2. Add sherry and cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce, water, vegetable broth, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
  3. Scoop soup evenly into four bowls and top with 1 slice of provolone each. Broil in over for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Chef’s tip: If you do not have sherry for this recipe, it is OK to omit.

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Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Baked Potato Soup with Portobello “Bacon”

Broccoli Cheddar Soup - The Vegan Rhino

This isn’t any ordinary baked potato soup. Why, you ask? Well, it may be rich, it may be creamy, but this baked potato soup is both dairy- and bacon-free. Plus, it tastes way better (and it’s healthier).  What’s even more exciting is that this recipe includes two star ingredients from another comfort food favorite: broccoli and cheddar. You definitely won’t regret asking for seconds when it comes to this tasty soup that you can enjoy for lunch or as an appetizer.

Yield 6 servings

Ingredients

1 russet potato

2 broccoli heads

1 medium onion, diced

3 celery stalks, diced

2 medium carrots, cubed

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp. Vitacost Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Tbsp. Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks

1 quart plain almond milk

3 cups vegetable broth

3 Tbsp.

1/4 green onion, leave 1 Tbsp. to garnish with

1/2 cup vegan sharp cheddar cheese, leave a pinch for garnish

Portobello mushroom “bacon”

1 Portabello mushroom, sliced

1 tsp. smokey flavor

1 Tbsp. Vitacost Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Pinch Vitacost Fine Himalayan Pink Salt

Croutons

1 small ciabatta bread, diced into cubes

1 Tbsp. Vitacost Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tsp. garlic powder

Pinch Vitacost Fine Himalayan Pink Salt

Directions

Bacon:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. In bowl, drizzle oil over sliced mushrooms.
  3. Add salt, pepper and smoke flavor. Mix until evenly coated.
  4. On baking sheet, evenly arrange mushrooms.
  5. Bake 10-15 minutes.
  6. Flip mushrooms and bake for another 10 minutes or until brown and crispy.

Croutons:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Drizzle oil onto baking sheet.
  3. Add diced bread and coat with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown.

Soup:

  1. In large pot, sauté sliced onion, carrot and celery for 5-10 minutes until transparent and soft. Season with salt, pepper and garlic.
  2. Sprinkle flour over sautéed vegetables and mix. Slowly add vegetable stock, almond milk, broccoli and potatoes to pot. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes have cooked. Mix in green onions.
  3. Serve with croutons, green onion, vegan cheddar cheese and mushroom “bacon” on top.

Chef’s tip: You can add 1-1/2 cups of vegan cheddar cheese to the soup directly and stir to mix if desired.