Rustic Winter Stew over Polenta

For the Stew:

ONE

1 small onion, diced medium

TWO

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t dried thyme

1/2 t celery seed

black pepper, to taste

THREE

1 t salt

1/2 cup green lentils

1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped

2 lbs tomatoes, chopped (canned ok)

4 cups vegetable broth

FOUR

1 lb small yukon gold potatoes, sliced in half (if using large ones, cut into about 1 inch pieces)

2 bay leaves

3 leeks, chopped

For the polenta (if powder):

4 cups vegetable broth

1/2 t salt

2 T olive oil

1 cup dry polenta

STEW

Preheat a 4 quart pot over medium heat. Sautee the onion in water, along with a dash of salt, covered, over low heat, for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, celery seed, pepper and salt and sautee a minute more. Add TWO. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, until the lentils are slightly softened (now is a good time to start the polenta). Add FOUR. Lower heat to simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 to 30 more minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender and the lentils are soft. Let sit for 10 minutes or so to allow the flavors to meld. Serve over polenta, garnished with fresh herbs, if you like.

POLENTA

Bring the vegetable broth and salt to a boil in a 2 quart pot. Add oil. Lower heat to simmer. Add the polenta in a slow steady stream, stirring constantly with a whisk. Whisk for about 5 minutes, until the polenta is thickened. Keeping the heat low, cover and let cook for 20 more minutes or so, stirring occasionally.

Recipe from Post Punk Kitchen

Quinoa and Black Bean Veggie Chili

1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed well

ONE

1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped

TWO

1 T chili powder
1 T ground cumin

THREE

2 cups water
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
1 t dried oregano
1 t salt and ground black pepper to taste

FOUR
1 cup frozen corn
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cook the quinoa in a rice cooker (2 cups of water) and set aside.

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a little bit of water, over low heat, and covered, until translucent. Stir in TWO and cook for one more minute, stirring constantly. Add THREE. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, stir in the reserved quinoa and corn; heat through, about 5 minutes. Remove chili from heat and stir in the cilantro to serve.

Recipe from Alma Bye

Lentil Chickpea Soup

ONE
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
6 garlic cloves, pressed

TWO
1/2 t fresh grated ginger
1/2 turmeric
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t cardamom

THREE
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
15 oz tomatoes (fresh or canned)
30 oz cooked chickpeas (if canned, drained and rinsed)
6 cups veggie stock
cayenne pepper, to taste

FOUR
juice of 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper, to taste


In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE, with a little bit of water, over low heat and covered, until the onions are translucent. Add TWO and cook, stirring constantly, for another 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker and add THREE. Cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4 1/2. Add FOUR and serve with warm bread.

Original from Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker

(Crockpot) Sweet Potato and Squash Soup

ONE
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, pressed

TWO
2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
1 small butternut squash, cubed
4 cups veggie stock
1 t thyme
1/2 t sage
salt and pepper, to taste

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a little bit of water, over low heat, and covered, until translucent. Transfer to the slow cooker and add TWO. Cook on low for 6 hours. Using an immersion blender, puree, adjust the seasonings, and serve with warm bread.
From Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Split Pea Daal with Veggies

ONE
1 onion, diced
6 cloves of garlic, pressed



TWO
1 T ginger, grated
2 T cumin seeds
1 t coriander powder
1/4 t tumeric
2 t black mustard seeds



THREE
15 oz diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups water

2 cups split chickpeas

FOUR
1 package thawed frozen veggies (if using fresh, add to the other ingredients)
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro (or to taste)

Rinse the split peas thoroughly and drain. In a pan, sautee the ingrediwnts in ONE with a few T of water, covered, over low heat, until transalucent. Add TWO and cook for 3 more minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker and add THREE and cook on low for 7 hours (or on low for 4 1/2). Add FOUR and let it sit on warm for 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings and serve with warm bread.

Original found in Pinterest.com

Garden Tomato Soup

1 onion, sliced
6 garlic cloves, pressed
6 large tomatoes, coarsly chopped
4 whole cloves, placed in a tea bag or tea metal ball (so they're easy to discard)
A few T fresh chopped basil

In a large pot, bring all ingredients to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Discard the cloves and puree using an immersion blender. Serve warm with bread.

(Crockpot) Pho

ONE
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 T minced ginger
2 T anisette seeds
1 cinnamon stick
2T tamari or other soy sauce
5 cups veggie broth

TWO (sauteed in a saucepan until browned)
1 t peanut oil
1 package seitan, chopped

THREE (blend together)
3 T tamari sauce
1 1/2 T fresh lime juice
2 T brown rice miso paste
2 T water

FOUR
6 oz dry rice sticks, soaked in cold water for 15 minutes

Cook the ingredients in ONE in the crockpot on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hrs. Stir the ingredients in TWO and THREE and cook for 5 or 10 more minutes on low, or until the noodles are tender. Do not let it sit on the warm setting, as the broth will begin to evaporate. Serve with cilantro.

(Crockpot) Vegetable Curry

ONE
1 t peanut oil
2 carrots, chopped
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 onion, chopped

TWO
2 T curry powder
1 t coriander
1/4 t cayenne pepper

THREE
2 medium potatoes, rinsed and chopped
8 oz green beans, fresh or frozen
15oz cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained if canned
15 oz fresh (or canned) tomatoes, chopped
2 cups veggie broth

FOUR
1/2 cup green peas, thawed
1/2 cup vegan creme (I use almond and cashew from Bloomingfoods)
salt and pepper, to taste

In a saucepan, sautee the ingredients in ONE, covered, over low heat, until tender. Add the ingredients in TWO. Transfer to the crockpot and add THREE. Cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 1/2hrs. Before serving, add FOUR. Serve over rice with a dollop of fat-free Greek yogurt or vegan creme.

Original in Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker

(Crockpot) Moroccan-Style Stew

ONE
3 shallots, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, pressed

TWO
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t paprika
1/4 t turmeric

THREE
8 oz beans, fresh or frozen, chopped
15oz cooked chickpeas (if canned, drained and rinsed)
15oz fresh (or canned) tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 cups veggie stock
1 T fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper, to taste

FOUR
1/2 cup green peas, thawed
1/2 cup mixed dry fruit (apricots, apples, raisins, prunes...)
2 T fresh parsley, minced

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a little bit of water, covered, over low heat. Add the ingredients in TWO and mix well until fragrant. Transfer to the crockpot and add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 1/2 hrs. Stir in the ingredients in FOUR and let it sit on warm for about 20-30 minutes. Serve over rice or couscous.

Original in Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker

(Crockpot) Chickpea and Lentil Curry

ONE
1 onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, pressed

TWO
1 t fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 T curry powder
1 t coriander
1 t thyme
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1/4 t turmeric

THREE
1/2 cup dried brown/green lentils, rinsed
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cups cauliflower, chopped into small florets
1 large russet potato, cubed
3 cups (or 2 15oz cans) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups water
salt and pepper, to taste

FOUR
2 T spicy mango chutney
1 T rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)

FIVE
1/2 thawed frozen peas

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro.

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a few tablespoons of water, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add a little more water if needed. Transfer to the slow cooker and add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 6 1/2 hours or on high for 4. In a bowl, combine the ingredients in FOUR, and add to the curry, along with FIVE. Cook for 30 more minutes. Before serving, you may puree a cup or two of the stew and then stir it back in the pot or leave as is. Add the cilantro and serve over rice.

Original in Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker

(Crockpot) Seitan Posole

*One of my new favorites!

ONE
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, pressed
2 carrots, chopped

TWO
2 T tomato paste
2 t chili powder
1 t oregano
1/2 t coriander
1/2 t cumin

THREE
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 oz ( 1 small can) chopped green chiles, drained
15 oz canned stewed tomatoes
28oz canned hominy, drained and rinsed (in the Mexican food section)
3 cups (or 2 15oz cans) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
8 oz seitan, chopped
2 T soy sauce
3 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste

FOUR
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

lime wedges, for serving

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a few tablespoons of water, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add a little more water if needed. Transfer to the slow cooker and add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 7 hours or for 4 1/2 on high. Add the cilantro and serve over tortillas or rice, with lime wedges.

From Fresh from the Vegan Slowcooker

(Crockpot) Lentil Dal

ONE
1 onion, chopped

TWO
1 1/2 t fresh minced ginger
1 t ground cumin
1 t ground coriander
1/2 t turmeric
1/2 t dry mustard
1/4 t cardamom
1/4 t cayenne pepper

 THREE
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
1 cup brown/green lentils, rinsed
4 cups water
 salt and pepper, to taste

FOUR
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a few tablespoons of water, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add a little more water if needed. Transfer to the slow cooker and add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5. Add the cilantro and serve over rice and roasted veggies.

From Fresh from the Vegan Slowcooker

Crockpot Seitan Ropa Vieja

ONE
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

TWO
1 green bell pepper, chopped

THREE
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 t ground cumin

FOUR
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t sugar

FIVE
1 package seitan, chopped
2 portobello mushrooms, sliced
6 crimini mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
salt and pepper, to taste

SIX
2 T fresh lime or lemon juice

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a little bit of water, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook for a few more minutes. Add the ingredients in THREE and cook, stirring, for five more minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker. Add the ingredients in FIVE and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3. Add the ingredients in SIX. Serve over rice or with tortillas.

Original in Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker

Crockpot Vegetable Curry

ONE
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

TWO
2 T tomato paste
2 T curry powder
1 t coriander
1/4 t cayenne pepper

THREE
One bell pepper, chopped
2 small potatoes, chopped
3 cups cauliflower, cut into florets
1 1/2 cups green beans, fresh or chopped
15 oz crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cup cooked red or black beans
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper, to taste

FOUR
1/2 cup thawed green peas

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE with a little bit of water, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook for a few more minutes, stirring. Transfer to the slow cooker. Add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 7 hours or for 4 hours on high. Add the ingredients in FOUR.

Original in Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker

Peanut Stew

ONE
1 T water
1 onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, pressed

TWO
2 t grated fresh ginger
1 t ground coriander
1 t ground cumin
1 t curry powder
1/2 t cayenne pepper

THREE
2 medium sweet potatoes, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cans garbanzo or black beans, drained and rinsed
15oz canned diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup prepared powdered peanut butter (you can find PB2 at Kroger and Bloomingfoods) mixed with 1/2 cup of water

FOUR
1/2 lb fresh spinach, chopped


In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE, over low heat and covered, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook, covered, for 2 more minutes or until fragrant. Transfer to the slow cooker and add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3. Stir in the ingredients in FOUR, then cook for one more hour on low or 1/2 hour on high.

Original in Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker

Crockpot Chickpea Soup

ONE
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 t. fresh grated ginger

TWO
 1 t. ground cumin
1 t. ground coriander
1/2 t. cayenne pepper

THREE
30oz cooked chickpeas (if canned, drained and rinsed)
15oz  canned diced tomatoes, with juice
6 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper, to taste

FOUR
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup copped cilantro

Saute the ingredients in ONE in water, covered, over low heat, until soft. Add the ingredients in TWO and saute a couple more minutes. Transfer to the crockpot and add the ingredients in THREE. Cook on low for 7hrs. About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the ingredients in FOUR. Using an immersion blender, puree into a soup. Serve with bread.

Adapted from Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker

Crockpot Kung Pao Seitan

SAUCE
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 T fresh grated ginger
1 1/ cups water
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 T vegetarian bouillon (low sodium)
1/4 t (or more) red pepper flakes

Combine all the ingredients and store in a container in the fridge if not using immediately.

INGREDIENTS
ONE
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
5 oz mushrooms, sliced
8oz water chestnuts, drained, rinsed, and diced
1 package seitan, diced
TWO
3 T cornstarch
THREE
1 T sesame oil

THREE
Rice, to serve

In a crockpot, combine all the ingredients in TWO and the sauce. Cook on low for 7 hrs. About 30 minutes before serving, mix the cornstarch with some of the sauce until completely dissolved, and add it to the crockpot. Before serving, stir in the sesame oil. Serve over rice.

Crockpot Hot & Sour Soup

10oz sliced mushrooms
8 shiitake mushrooms (if dehydrated, put in warm water and let them sit until they are hydrated again. You can save the water and use it as stock!)
8oz canned bamboo shoots, drained, rinsed, and cut in thin strips
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 package tofu, cubed
2 T. fresh grated ginger, divided
4 cups water
2 T vegetarian bouillon
2 T. soy sauce
1 t. sesame oil
1 t. chili paste
2 T. rice vinegar (or apple cider)
1 1/2 cups frozen peas

You can prepare all the ingredients the night before and store the mushrooms, bamboo, garlic, and tofu together in a Tupperware. Keep the ginger in a separate container.
Combine the mushrooms, bamboo, garlic, tofu, 1T. ginger, water, bouillon, soy, sesame oil, chili paste, and vinegar in a crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours. A few minutes before serving, add the rest of the ginger and the peas. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Adapted from: The Vegan Slowcooker

Crockpot vegan chili

ONE
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, pressed

TWO
28oz crushed tomatoes with their juice
1 cup of water (or more as needed)
15oz cooked black beans
15oz cooked garbanzo beans
1 sweet potato or 1/2 butternut squash, cubed
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 cup sweet corn
1 T. ground cumin
1 T. basil (dry--if fresh, add after the chili is cooked)
1/4 t. cayenne pepper

THREE
steamed fingerling potatoes

In a saucepan, saute the ingredients in ONE in 2 T of water, covered, over low heat, until tender. Put the onions in the crockpot. Add the ingredients in TWO and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-7 Adjust the seasonings and add the potatoes (chopped if they are too big).

Japanese-style Curry

ONE
1 t. olive oil
1 large onion, diced

TWO
4 large carrots, cut into half moons

THREE
2 T curry powder
2 cloves garlic, minced

FOUR
3 2/3 cup vegetable broth
2 medium  potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 small apple, peeled and finely grated
3 T. ketchup
1 T. vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 T. brown miso paste

FIVE
1 cup fresh or frozen shelled edamame

cooked brown rice (to serve, optional)

IN a large pot, saute the ingredients in ONE, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the ingredients in TWO and cokk for 5 more minutes. Add the ingredients in THREE a cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ingredients in FOUR, turn up the hear and, when it is boiling, turn it down and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes. Add the ingredients in FIVE and  simmer 5 more minutes. Serve with rice. 

Original from Vegetariantimes.com