Making dinner healthier, one slow cooker at a time.
Some of you let me know you’d like to have a formula for making variations of meals. Today I’m posting a Quinoa Jambalaya with Tempeh and tomorrow I’ll be posting a Mexican Quinoa with Black Beans to illustrate that.
Both use the same amount of liquid and quinoa but the spices, protein, and veggies change. You can use this quinoa stew as a base for what’s at the farmers market right now and what spices you have on hand. to recipe→
I have always liked tempeh, but never really loved it. It tastes great in a strong sauce or in a sandwich mixed with other bold flavors. Typically I steam it for about 10 minutes to remove that hint of bitterness than can be off-putting.
Last week I posted a Tempeh Stroganoff that was super simple to make and tasty. It was even tastier because it was made with Tempeh Girl’s artisanal tempeh. Hers is ready to go right out of the package and no steaming is needed! [Read more...]
This Tempeh Mushroom Stroganoff is amazingly easy and full of great flavors. It has few ingredients, but the mushrooms combined with the bouillon create an amazing broth that becomes the base of the sauce.
I don’t use tempeh as much as I should. It’s a fermented soy product that’s originally from Indonesia. Most people agree that fermented soy products are better for you and easier to digest.
Tempeh has a reputation for having a bitter taste, but if you steam it for 10 minutes before adding to your dish it will take most of that away.
If you are lucky, like I am, you might have an artisanal tempeh maker in your neck of the woods. The triangle area has Tempeh Girl and I think there is one in Asheville, NC and Gainesville, Fl. (If there’s one in your area please share the info in the comments.)
I’ll be talking more about Tempeh Girl, but she uses a different culture than the mass producers do and her tempeh is not bitter at all. And it’s ready to use right out of the package, so no steaming needed!
(I don’t usually do before pictures, but I wanted you to see the new tempeh I’m using. See how pretty it looks?)
Slow Cooker Tempeh Mushroom Stroganoff
gluten-free (with plain soy tempeh and gluten-free pasta)
serves 2 to 3
I used my 3 1/2 quart, but think this would be better suited for a 1 1/2 to 2 quart slow cooker. If you are using a 4 quart or more you can double the recipe or add even more extra water.
The night before: Chop tempeh and mushrooms. Steam tempeh for about 10 minutes unless you have a locally made tempeh and then follow their recommendations. (For Tempeh Girl tempeh no steaming is needed!) Store in fridge until the morning.
In the morning: Add tempeh, mushrooms, garlic, water, bouillon, and paprika. Cook on low 7 to 9 hours.
20 minutes before serving: Add vegan sour cream and mix. Taste and add more paprika if needed, as well as salt and pepper. Serve over pasta (or mashed cauliflower, rice, quinoa, etc.) and top with dill if desired.
I started out making white chili and kept tweaking it until it was no longer quite white. In the chili world I guess it still counts as white chili even though I added tomatoes and butternut squash.
I made it while snowed in so you’ll notice lots of pantry ingredients. I’ve linked to the recipes for the staples I used so you can make them from scratch when you aren’t house bound.
I learned about boiling tempeh to get some of the stronger favor out from Isa’s books. Place cut tempeh into enough boiling water to cover it and cook for 10 minutes. Now your temeph is ready to go.
Slow Cooker Almost White Chili with Tempeh and Winter Squash (*gluten-free)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 – 8 hours
The night before: Boil the tempeh if you’re going to do that. Crumble and put in the fridge for the morning.
In the morning: Add all the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Re-season before serving. I’m trying to eat almost no salt, but you will need to add salt to taste.
Top with yogurt or tofu sour cream.
The Virtual Vegan Potluck is over, but the virtual feast lives on!