Mardi Gras!

Need a great recipe for this year's Mardi Gras party? Here's a Vegan Gumbo that will spice up your night.

Mardi Gras Gumbo

4 tbsp Earth Balance
6 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
2 1/2 cups Vegetable Broth
1 tsp Gumbo File Powder
2 Bay Leaves
2 tsp Cumin
1 tbsp Chili Powder
1 28 oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 large White Onion, diced
1 large Sweet Green Pepper, diced
1/2 cup Carrot, diced
1/2 cup Celery, diced
2 cups Frozen Green Beans
2 cups Frozen Okra
1 bunch Collard Greens, chopped 


In a large stockpot, melt Earth Balance on medium heat. Once melted whisk in the flour. Whisk constantly until the roux turns a caramel brown, this can take up to 10 minutes or so. Whisk in the vegetable broth being sure the get any lumps out. Add the gumbo file, bay leaves, cumin, and chili powder and let simmer 3 to 4 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients and allow to simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Though you do want the gumbo to be more stew like than soup like, be sure to add a bit of broth if it becomes too thick. 




 

Of love and cookbooks...

If you're scrambling to figure out what to make your sweetheart for a romantic vegan dinner this Valentine's Day, give the menu I posted over at This Dish Is Vegetarian a shot. All the recipes are easy to prepare, taste delish, and are sure to inspire romance!

I've spent a large portion of the weekend editing the cookbook I've been writing. Its coming together very well and I'm once again excited about the project. I'm thinking of doing a Kickstarter campaign to help fund self-publishing. We'll see what happens as the day for publishing approaches.

Game Day

Sorry about my recent absence from the web. I've been sick over the past couple of weeks, and am just now getting caught up on everything. The winter hasn't been nearly as brutal here in South Dakota as it was the last two years. The temps have mostly been in the 40's, which has been lovely. Don't get me wrong though, we have had a few frigid days and nights. Just not nearly as many as usual.

Superbowl Sunday is approaching quickly, so here is a chili recipe that is sure to please at your game day party!

Superbowl Chili

3 tbsp Olive Oil
1 large White Onion, diced
3-4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Sweet Green Pepper, diced
2 Jalapenos, diced
2 15oz Cans Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
2 15oz Cans Black Beans, drained and rinsed
2 15oz Cans Diced Tomatoes
1 15oz Can Corn, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp Chili Powder
3 splashes Liquid Smoke
2 tbsp Molasses
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
4 cups Tomato Juice

In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onion, garlic, and green pepper in the olive oil. Once the onion is translucent, add the jalapenos, beans, tomatoes, and corn. Let cook for 5 minutes, then stir in chili powder, liquid smoke, molasses, cocoa powder, and tomato juice. Bring to a bowl, lower heat and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often. Serve with corn chips, vegan sour cream, and, vegan shredded cheese.