Vegetable Soup

My Mom made the absolute best vegetable soup in the world! I've tried to copy it without using meat, but haven't gotten the results I've wanted...until now. This soup satisfies my hunger and my soul. I can close my eyes and remember eating Mom's soup as a child. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The liquid smoke and No Beef Base are optional, but highly recommended for the deep, rich flavor I look for in vegetable soup.

Vegetable Soup

1 small wedge cabbage, shredded
1 can green beans, mostly drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 large onion, chopped
3 small gold potatoes, medium diced
1 cup frozen corn
1 bag frozen roasted vegetables, optional
4 carrots, scrubbed and sliced
1 can lima beans, mostly drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
1 small can water
vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder
onion powder
liquid smoke, optional
1 teaspoon Better Than Broth No Beef Base, optional
1/4 cup rice or other grain (to give the soup a little substance)

 

Put all ingredients in a Dutch oven and bring to a boil. Lower fire and cover. Cook on low (hard
simmer) until cooked, about 1 hour, adding vegetable broth as needed.

5 Bean Chili

Ever since I became plant-based, I've been looking for a good chili recipe. They always seemed to be too labor intensive so I wouldn't even try it or they didn't quite satisfy on the level chili is supposed to. So I've been experimenting and playing around with the recipe. Well, I think I hit it today! I made it for the Super Bowl tomorrow and it smelled so good we each had chili for dinner tonight!

5 Bean Chili

1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can dark red beans, drained and rinsed
1 can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chili beans
1/2 bag frozen chopped onions
1/2 bag frozen chopped mixed bell peppers
1 cup frozen corn
1-8 ounce can tomato sauce, no salt added
1 tomato sauce can water
2 packets low sodium mild chili seasoning
4 slices pickled jalapeño
2 teaspoons pickled jalapeño juice
several shakes liquid smoke
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon ground cumin
chili powder, to taste

Add all ingredients to Dutch oven. Stir and bring to a boil on medium heat. Lower heat, cover and cook on low for about 20-30 minutes, adding additional seasonings as needed.

Taco soup

I used to make Taco Soup quite often but just haven't since I became plant-based. I realized the other night that it doesn't need ground beef to be taco soup! So I went into the kitchen and started throwing things into the pot! You can eat this as a soup, over potatoes, or my favorite...rice! Yum! FYI-we ate this so quick I didn't get a photo! Next time! Lol!!!

Taco Soup

1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 can lima beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 quart-sized box vegetable broth
Black pepper, to taste
2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning, to taste
Several drops Liquid Smoke

Line a Dutch oven with vegetable broth. add the onion and cook until the onion has caramelized slightly. Add the garlic and cook a couple of minutes more.

Add the beans, tomatoes, and tomato sauce plus 2 tomato sauce cans of water. Pour in the rest of the vegetable broth, then the seasonings and Liquid Smoke. Stir and taste for seasoning.

Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium, cover and cook 20-30 minutes, until done.

Cuban Black Beans

I have been wanting some Cuban black beans. Love them! So I decided that I will make some for lunch one day this week. I make this as regular beans, but when the cold weather starts I add extra broth so it's a little soupy! This makes a great lunch with a small salad.

Cuban Black Beans

15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
Dash garlic powder
1 slice green bell pepper, cored, seeded, chopped (or a little frozen mixed peppers)
1/8 cup yellow onion, peeled and chopped
 A couple of dashes of liquid smoke
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 bay leaf
1/3 cup vegetable broth (when I want soup I put 1 cup broth)
1 pinch chili powder
1 splash red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Place the beans in a saucepan with the broth. Add the remaining ingredients except for the red wine vinegar and salt. Cover and simmer until beans are soft. Add the red wine vinegar and salt, simmer for a couple more minutes.