broccoli, cheddar and wild rice casserole from smittenkitchen.com

3 tablespoons butter
1/2 large onion, diced
Salt
2/3 cup uncooked wild rice blend, rinsed
1 pound broccoli
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard powder or 1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup low-sodium vegetable
8 ounces cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
Freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice to onion and cook for 1 minute, then add 1 1/3 cups water and a few pinches of salt. Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to lowest temperature and cook with the lid on for about 50 minutes (or whatever amount of time is suggested on your package of rice). If you’d like a rice cooker to do this for you, transfer onions, water and rice to the machine and set the machine.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Peel broccoli stems and dice them into large chunks. Cut florets into 1-inch pieces. Cook in boiling, well-salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain.

You can use this same pan to make the cheese sauce. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the mustard powder (if using), a pinch of cayenne and garlic and let sizzle for 1 minute. Add flour and whisk until combined, cooking the butter-flour mixture for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly drizzle in milk, whisking constantly, then broth. Bring to a simmer and cook mixture at a simmer, stirring the whole time, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in smooth Dijon mustard if you didn’t use mustard powder.

Remove pan from heat and stir in 1/3 of grated cheese until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Combine cooked wild rice blend and broccoli in a 2-quart baking dish or a 9-inch oven-safe skillet. Pour cheese sauce over and gently nudge to ensure all pieces get some sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Bake casserole for 10 to 15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly, then run mixture under the broiler until cheese is toasty on top.

Serves 4 as a generous side

vegan meatloaf by Jill McKeever

1 1/2 cups Soy Curls™ dust and small crumbles
1 1/4 cup veggie broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
10-oz. extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
2 tablespoons stone ground mustard
2 tablespoons organic ketchup, plus more for topping
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried cracked rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large mixing bowl, soak curl dust and crumbles in veggie broth, soy sauce, and liquid smoke for 8 minutes.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook garlic, celery, and onion for 3 minutes, then add 1/4 cup water to prevent browning, cook another 3 minutes, until onion is translucent. OR sauté in olive oil, do not add water if you do this. Remove from heat. Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Once curls are rehydrated, crumble tofu over them; stir in oats, mustard, ketchup. Add spices and cooked veggies. With a clean hand, mash, squeeze and stir until well mixed. Spread meatloaf evenly into a silicone 8×4-inch loaf pan.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven; drizzle top with as much ketchup as you like. Return to oven. Continue baking another 25 minutes. Allow cooling 15 minutes before cutting into it. This loaf is moist after baking. A night in the fridge firms it up perfectly. If you have the time, make it a day ahead. Slice it up and reheat it either in the microwave or toaster oven.

Cold leftover meatloaf is excellent! Hopefully, you will have leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Makes 6 servings

NOTE: I used 14 oz tofu that had been frozen

Instant Pot Risotto with Lemon, Peas, & Parmesan from kelseynixon.com

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 4 cups veggie stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 3/4 cup petite peas, frozen
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • Fresh parsley or micro greens, for serving

Using the saute setting on your Instant Pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, add the garlic to the pressure cooker and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the rice and salt and saute until toasted, 3 minutes. If using, pour in the wine and let it simmer until it has evaporated. Add the broth and stir to combine. Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH pressure for 6 minutes.

Release the pressure manually and stir in the peas, Parmesan, and lemon. Keep stirring until the risotto is creamy. Season to taste with salt and cracked black pepper. Just before serving, garnish with the remaining parmesan and greens.

Smitten Kitchen’s One-Pan Farro with Tomatoes

2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup semi-pearled farro
1/2 large onion, sliced into quarters and then sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
8 to 10 oz. cherry tomatoes
1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Handful of basil leaves, julienned or 1 tsp dried basil
sprinkle of oregano
parsley
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Add broth and farro to a large sauce pan and soak 10 minutes. As you finish chopping your veg, add them one by one to the pan. Add salt and red pepper, basil, oregano and parsley followed by the olive oil.

Set the timer on your oven or microwave for 30 minutes, then turn the burner on high. Bring the pan, uncovered, to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally. At the end of the 30 minutes, the farro should be perfectly cooked and liquid absorbed.

Pour the contents of the pan into a shallow serving bowl. Sprinkle with the basil leaves and parm, then drizzle lightly with olive oil. Eat while hot.

 

Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup (中式素汤面) from omnivorescookbook.com

Tofu
  • 1/2 block (16 ounces / 450 g) extra firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free alternative)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or agave nectar)
Soup
  • (3.5 ounces) 100 grams noodles (*Footnote 1)
  • 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 6 cups vegetable broth (or homemade Detox Vegetable Broth)
  • 2 cups (1/2 pound) mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables (e.g. green peas, carrots and corn)
  • 2 green onion, chopped
  • 1 large piece ginger
  • 4 cup chopped kale
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free alternative)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
Serving options
  • Poached or boiled eggs
  • Chopped cilantro and chopped green onion for garnish
  • Pickled vegetables (zha cai) and fermented tofu
  • Homemade Chili Oil or Sriracha
  • Notes: 1. For wheat noodles, you can use chuka soba, udon noodles, somen noodles, and any other wheat noodles that only contain wheat flour and water (and maybe some salt). For gluten-free noodle soup, use rice noodles, Vermicelli or Shirataki noodles.
    2. Alternatively, you can dust the tofu with 2 tablespoons cornstarch — it will create an even crispier crust.

broccoli cheddar soup from smitten kitchen.com

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped small
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup half-and-half
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/4 pounds broccoli or 4 cups broccoli florets and stems, chopped small
1 large carrot (about 6 ounces) or 2 slim ones, chopped tiny (1 cup)
8 ounces (about 2 1/2 cups) coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese, plus a pinch extra for garnish

Melt the butter in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook until golden, 3 to 4 minutes, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half until smooth. Add thebroth, bay leaf, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Add the broccoli and carrot to the broth mixture and simmer until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and adjust seasoning if needed, but err on the cautious side with the salt because the cheese will add a bit. Puree the soup to your desired texture — I like mine fairly chunky, just lightly blended — with an immersion blender or in an upright one. Back on the stove, add cheese and whisk until melted, about 1 minute.

Serve in bowls, garnished with a pinch of cheese. We like a hearty slice of grainy toasted bread on the side, for swiping.

Deb’s notes: Instead of 1 cup half-and-half, you could use 1/2 cup milk + 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup heavy cream + 1/2 cup additional stock or broth. I like to use both broccoli florets and stems when I cook, and I find that the stems cook up with the best texture and at the same rate as the florets when I peel them first. I did so here.

indian moong dal instant pot from twosleevers.com

1 c. yellow mung dal
4 c water
1onion diced
1 tomato diced
2 tbsp garlic/ginger paste
1 tsp turmeric
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp corriander
1/2 tsp sugar
lemon juice and parsley or cilantro to finish

place all ingredients in instant pot.
cook for 20 min at high pressure then release naturally
mix in lemon juice and stir well
garnish with cilantro or parsley

asian noodles/soup instant pot

1/2 lb. fresh korean noodles
4 tbsp soy sauce
2-3 tbsp garlic/ginger paste
1/4 c sliced mushrooms
carrot, julliened
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1/2 onion, diced
4 scallions, sliced
snow peas (opt)
1/2 tsp sambal
3 c veggie stock
2 tbsp sesame oil

1-2 min then QR
add green part of scallions after cooking
1 egg (optional) whisked and added to soup, stirring constantly

Instant pot creamy butternut squash risotto

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
4 cups of butternut squash, peeled and largely diced
2 cups Arborio rice
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
8 ounces Baby Bella mushrooms
1 – 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 tsp of black pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp of Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
5 ounce bag baby spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

Add the butter and oil to the Instant Pot. Hit “Sauté” and “Adjust” so it’s on the “More” or “High” setting and wait until the butter has melted and it bubbles.

Add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes so it softens and just lightly browns. Add in the butternut squash and stir with the onions for another 1-2 minutes (the squash will be very hard, but don’t worry – it will completely soften up after pressure cooking). Next, add in the mushrooms, stir and cook for another minute. Finally, add the garlic, stir with everything else and cook for another 3 minutes.

Add in the white wine and once it bubbles, let it do so for another 2 minutes so some of the alcohol burns off. Add rice and stir. Add in the broth, seasoned salt, white pepper, black pepper, nutmeg, Italian seasoning and dried parsley. Stir well, deglazing the bottom of the pot and then place the spinach on top (but do NOT mix in with everything else – just let it rest on top. Also, it may look like a LOT of spinach is in there but you’ll be shocked at how it cooks down).

Secure the lid, hit “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” High Pressure for 6 minutes. Quick release when done and stir the spinach in with the risotto (when you do this, the spinach will have become nothing but little green strands).

Add in the grated Parmesan, stir and transfer to a serving bowl.

Veggie Pot Pie from 12tomatoes.com

  • 1 sheet frozen, store-bought puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup potato, diced
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard seed
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  1. Preheat oven to 400º F.
  2. Bring a large pot of cold, salted water to boil and cook potatoes for 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside..
  3. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat and saute carrots and onion until tender. 8-10 minutes.
  4. During the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, add drained potatoes and garlic and cook until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper, thyme and oregano.
  5. Transfer vegetables to a separate bowl.
  6. Melt butter in the Dutch oven and stir in flour to create a roux. Whisk continuously to remove lumps and cook for 2 minutes to cook flour.
  7. Once smooth, whisk in vegetable broth and heavy cream and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until mixture thickens.
  8. Season with salt and pepper and ground mustard seed.
  9. Return vegetables to Dutch oven and stir to make sure everything is evenly coated.
  10. Take thawed puff pastry sheet, unfold it and gently press it into a large baking dish, making sure it comes up at least a little on all sides.
  11. Pour vegetables into puff pastry crust, place baking dish in oven and cook for 20 minutes, or until set and bubbly.
  12. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before serving.