Vegan Italian Sausage Veggie Soup

This was so fast and easy to make... You can make this with regular italian sausage for all you non vegans out there!!! I am also thinking this would be good with chopped chicken breast... ground turkey.... be creative and make it work for you.... But, don't skimp on the veggie!

Here is what you need!

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 Link Italian Style Sausage, Vegan, or regular
2 Cloves of garlic
5 Carrots
2 Potatoes
2 Zucchini
1 Can Cannellini Beans (white kidney beans)
1 Cup Pasta
1 Jar Pasta Sauce
1-2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil
5 Cups Vegetable Stock

(This is the best Vegan Meat Substitute HANDS DOWN!!!)

Chop the onion, garlic and sausage, cook in Olive Oil....

add chopped carrots and potatoes, cook for about 2 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients including stock. 

I did not add any salt because it frankly did not need any.... the stock had salt and so did the sauce, I did add a ton of freshly ground pepper.  Cook the soup until the pasta is Al Dente... I would say about 8-10 minutes and it is done! Hope you guys like it!

Tofu Stir Fry

My kids literally fought over the Tofu!  I know you think I am crazy... but don't knock it till you try it! Here is what you will need...

1 Extra Firm Tofu Block

1 Bag of Stir Fry Veggies (I got these at Trader Joes)

1 Onion

1 Cup Quinoa, rinsed

Liquid Aminos

Asian Cooking Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Etc

First you want to rinse your Quinoa very well, like I have said before your Quinoa will taste very bitter if you skip this step.

In a medium saucepan add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of Quinoa, bring to a boil.  Turn the heat off, cover and set aside.  It will conitue to steam cook on its own.

Next you want to press out all the water out of the tofu... if you press all the water of of the tofu you will make room for flavor!!! I take the tofu out of the package and dump the water.  I wrap the tofu in some paper towels, just like a little gift...

Then I wrap in a large kitchen towel... and I press the heck out of it!!!

Cut in whatever size pieces you like... I like long strips.

I pan fry with a little oil until nice and brown on both sides... Now please wear an apron or an old shirt... tofu does pop... so just be careful...Very important you do not put too much oil.

Set on paper towel to drain excess oil.

Chop your onions

Once you are done with tofu... add a little more oil and cook your onions.

Add your bag of stir fry veggies

Add your tofu, you do not want to over cook the veggies... you want them to have a bite to them!

Add your cooking sauce!

Toss a couple of times and YOU ARE DONE!

Serve over a nice heaping scoop of Quinoa

MMMmmmmm

I like to put some asian hot sauce

See... proof that my children eat tofu!

This is what everyone's plate looked like!

Spinach & Chickpea Patties

There is no one in this house that does not love these!!! I serve them just by themselves, over mashed potatoes with some Vegan Gravy, or I put them in my Vegan Sandwiches... There is nothing in these that is not absolutly good for you!

1 Can Garbanzo Beans

1/4 Cup Hemp Seeds (optional)

2 Cups Organic Spinach

1 whole onion (carmalized)

1/4 Cup Flour (I used Vital Wheat Gluten)

2 Tablespoons Mustard (I use Dijon)

To carmalize onions to chop up and cook in pan with some oil on low heat for about 30 minutes.

Add the spinach to the onions....

Cook down for a couple of minutes....

In a food processor blend the drained Garbanzo Beans until smooth...

Add the onion & spinach mixture ...

Add the mustard

Add the flour

Add the Hemp Seeds (if using)

Blend until smooth and put in bowl.  I use a cookie scoop to make even patties.

I use a little bit of oil, and I press down once in the pan. (it's easier if you wait until you flip the first time)

Brown nicely on both sides.

I served these over mashed potatoes and some vegan gravy

MMMMmmmmm