Creative Cooks

Vegan Corned Beef
Yield: 4 prep: 5 MINUTES cook: 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES total: 1 HOUR 35 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS
US

For the basic vegan corned beef:
5 cups Water
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp pickling spice
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 leaf bay leaf
1 small beet, or 1 tsp brown sugar and a few drops of red food coloring
2 14 oz packages tofu, or tempeh, or seitan

For a vegan corned beef and cabbage meal…
1 small Cabbage
4-6 small Potatoes
3-4 medium Carrots

METRIC

For the basic vegan corned beef:
1.18 L Water
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp pickling spice
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 leaf bay leaf
1 small beet, or 1 tsp brown sugar and a few drops of red food coloring
2 396 g packages tofu, or tempeh, or seitan

For a vegan corned beef and cabbage meal…
1 small Cabbage
4-6 small Potatoes
3-4 medium Carrots

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Garden Veggie and Ravioli Skillet with Pistachio Herb Butter
Prep time: 20 MINUTES cook time: 20 MINUTES total time: 40 MINUTES yields: SERVES 6

Ingredients

Pistachio Herb Butter
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup fresh herbs (basil, thyme + oregano, etc)
1/2 cup roasted pistachios, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or grated
1 tablespoon lemon zest + juice
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Pinch of salt and pepper, to taste

Ravioli
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ear corn, kernels removed from the cob
1 red pepper, sliced
1 small bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and then chopped
1 small zucchini and or summer squash, sliced into rounds
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
16 - 20 ounces prepared cheese ravioli
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Pistachio Herb Butter
In a bowl, mix together the butter, herbs, pistachios, garlic, lemon zest + juice and a pinch of both salt pepper. Stir in the parmesan cheese until well mixed. Either set aside if making the pasta right away, or store covered in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Ravioli
Heat a 12 inch or larger skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive to a pan. Add the corn, red pepper and asparagus. Sauté five minutes and then add the zucchini and tomatoes. Sauté until the veggies are soft and begin to caramelize on the edges, about 5 minutes longer. Once the veggies are soft and caramelized, add 1 1/2 cups of water and the ravioli. If you are using a 12 inch skillet, you may need to use only 16 ounces of ravioli. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the water is mostly absorbed, about 3- minutes. Add the white balsamic and continue cooking until it reduces and creates a little sauce, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in at least 6 tablespoons of the pistachio butter and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Gently toss the pasta until the butter melts. Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter if desired.

Shrimp Étouffée
Servings: 4 Active time: 20 mins Total time: 30 mins

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large white onion, finely diced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
3 scallions, white and green parts, finely diced, plus more for garnish (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish (optional)
3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 pounds peeled, deveined medium (41-50 count) shrimp, thawed if frozen
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more as needed
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, or more as needed
Cooked white or brown rice, for serving

Steps

1. In a Dutch oven or deep-sided pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, scallion and parsley and cook, stirring, until softened and with onions just beginning to get translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
2. In a small pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and stir until smooth. Cook, stirring constantly, until the roux darkens to a light brown color, about 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and continue stirring. The roux will darken off of the heat.
3. Add the roux to the vegetables and stir until fully incorporated.
4. Return the Dutch oven to medium heat. Add the shrimp, cayenne and Creole seasoning and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until shrimp curl, turn pink and are cooked through, about 10 minutes. (The cooking time will vary with the shrimp size.)
5. Taste and season with more cayenne and Creole seasoning, if desired. Sprinkle with additional chopped scallions or parsley, if desired, and serve over cooked white or brown rice.

NOTES: This dish requires no stock. The moisture from simmering the raw shrimp will create the liquid needed for the rich sauce, which is thickened with a dark brown flour-based roux and seasoned with Cajun/Creole “trinity” of onions, celery and bell pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add water or stock, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

One caution: It’s easy to overcook shrimp as cooking time will vary with the size and freshness of the crustaceans, so simmer the shrimp until they are pink and curled. Then, pluck out one to do a taste test.

If you’ve never made a roux, don’t be intimidated. It’s simple. Combine equal parts fat and flour over medium heat and stir constantly until it reaches the desired color. The darker the roux, the deeper the color and the richer the flavor of the sauce. This recipe is a great way to practice making a roux because it uses only 3 tablespoons of flour and 3 tablespoons of butter. If you go too far and scorch the roux, pitch it, and start again.

Cowboy Meatballs
Active Time: 50 mins Total Time: 50 mins Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 lb. 93/7 lean ground beef
5 slices (5 oz. total) bacon, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated yellow onion (from 1 small [5 oz.] onion)
1/4 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs) or finely crushed saltine crackers
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1/2 tsp. black pepper
4 oz. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup), divided
1 Tbsp. finely chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, plus 1 Tbsp. adobo sauce (from 1 [7-oz.] can), divided
3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, divided
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
2 (10-oz.) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes and chiles (such as Rotel)
1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce (such as Sweet Baby Ray’s)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
Sliced scallions

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F
Gently mix ground beef, bacon, egg, onion, panko, chili powder, garlic, pepper, 1/2 cup of the cheese, 1 tablespoon of the chipotle chiles, 1 tablespoon of the Worcestershire, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a large bowl until combined.
Portion and roll meatballs into 12 (2-inch) balls (2 oz. each); arrange at least 1 inch apart on a parchment- or foil- lined baking sheet.
Bake meatballs in preheated oven until browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
While meatballs are baking, stir together tomatoes and chiles, barbecue sauce, chicken broth, tomato paste, and remaining 2 tablespoons Worcestershire, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 1 teaspoon salt in a large skillet. Bring to simmer over medium-high, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring often and pressing down on tomatoes with back of a wooden spoon or with a potato masher, until tomatoes are broken down and sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
Transfer browned meatballs to sauce and return to medium. Cook, stirring gently and spooning sauce over meatballs, until evenly coated and an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatballs registers at least 160°F, 3 to 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese; cover, and let cook, undisturbed, until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
Serve hot, garnished with scallions.

VEGAN SINGAPORE NOODLES
Prep time 10 mins Cook time 20 mins Total time 30 mins Serves: 2

Ingredients
**SAUCE
2 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbsp or 6 g)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) tamari or soy sauce
1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (to taste)
1 large lime, juiced (~ 3 Tbsp or 45 ml)
**NOODLES
6 ounces (170 g) thin rice noodles
2 Tbsp (30 ml) toasted sesame oil, divided
1/4 white or yellow onion, thinly sliced (27 g)
3/4 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (90 g)
12 snow peas (~40 g)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tamari or soy sauce
4 tsp (12 g) curry powder, divided
**FOR SERVING* optional
8 ounces (227 g) extra firm tofu, pressed dry and cubed*
Sriracha or chili garlic sauce
2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions
See notes if adding tofu.
Add rice noodles to a large bowl and cover completely with boiling water. Let cook for 5-10 minutes (or according to package instructions), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside.
In the meantime, make the sauce by adding minced garlic, tamari or soy sauce, coconut sugar and lime juice to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You’re going for a savory-tart sauce with a bit of sweetness (adjust to taste). Set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil, onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onion is soft and translucent.
Add snow peas, 1 Tbsp tamari or soy sauce, and 2 tsp curry powder, and stir. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, then remove from pan and set aside.
To the still-hot skillet, add remaining 1 Tbsp sesame oil, cooked rice noodles, sauce and remaining 2 tsp curry powder. Sauté for 1 minute, tossing frequently with tongs to disperse sauce and curry powder.
Add back in the vegetables and toss to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes more, then remove from heat.
Serve with desired toppings. This dish benefits greatly from a little hot sauce, such as Sriracha!
Best when fresh, though leftovers keep for 2-3 days covered in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave, or in a saucepan over medium heat.

Notes
*To add tofu, double the amount of sauce, then pour half into a separate mixing bowl. Add 1 extra Tablespoon coconut sugar and whisk thoroughly to combine. Add pressed, cubed tofu to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven for 30-32 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Before cooking the vegetables, add the tofu to a lightly greased skillet over medium-high heat and add sauce. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce has absorbed and the tofu is very hot and somewhat glazed. Remove from pan and set aside, then continue with recipe as instructed. Add tofu back in with vegetables in step 7.

Souper Football
Serves 8

2 pounds ground beef
1 ½ cup diced bell pepper
1 envelope onion soup mix
1-8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp chili powder
Pastry for double crust pie

BEFORE KICKOFF
In large skillet, brown ground beef with peppers, drain. Stir in onion soup mix, chili powder, and tomato sauce. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in cheese. Place in bowl and chill.

AT HALFTIME
Divide pastry in two sections. Between 2 sheets of waxed paper roll each section into 10” x 12” rectangles. Place one piece onto greased cookie sheet pan. Cut into a football shape. Spoon chilled meat and cheese filling onto the bottom crust leaving 2” around side, mounding in center. Top with second crust and press edges to seal. Trim edges to match bottom crust. Garnish top with scraps of crust to make stripes and laces for football.

AT FOURTH QUARTER
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bake football for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

AFTER GAME
Remove football to platter and serve.

Andouille, Chicken, Red Bean and Rice Pilaf
Servings: 7 to 8 (makes about 11 cups) Total time: 55 mins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion (4 ounces), finely chopped (3/4 cup)
2 links smoked andouille sausage (8 ounces total), cut lengthwise into quarters, then crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick wedges (1 cup)
2 1/2 cups (1 pound) cooked/leftover boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut or shredded into bite-size pieces
One (15-ounce) can no-salt-added red beans, rinsed and drained
Fine salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 1/2 cups no-salt-added chicken broth
1/2 cup water (may substitute more broth; optional)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Steps

1. In a medium bowl filled with cold water, soak the rice for 20 minutes, then drain well.
2. Meanwhile, position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
3. In a large ovenproof sauté pan, skillet or shallow braising pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion and stir to coat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the andouille, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, tossing the mixture occasionally, until the sausage just starts to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the soaked and drained rice, chicken and beans, then season to taste with salt and pepper, stirring to combine. Pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil, and transfer to the oven.
4. Bake for 30 minutes. Test the rice for doneness; if it’s still firm and no liquid remains, add the water, re-cover the pan or skillet, and return to the oven to cook until the rice is tender.
5. Uncover, stir in the parsley and serve hot.

Substitution suggestions + other tips and ideas:

If you don’t have basmati rice >> use another long-grain white rice. If you prefer brown rice, you may need to increase the bake time and use more water.
Yellow onion >> red or white onion.
If you can’t find andouille sausage >> try smoked kielbasa or Spanish chorizo.
Instead of cooked chicken >> opt for cooked pork or more beans.
Red beans >> pinto beans, black-eyed peas or other variety of your choice.
Canned beans >> 1 1/2 cups home-cooked beans.
To make it vegetarian >> use plant-based sausage, chorizo or spicy tofu.

Potato Curry - Vegan
Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 40 minutes Servings 4


Ingredients

US
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
2 ½ pounds russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup vegetable broth
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 (14 ounce or 400 gram) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce or 400 gram) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup frozen peas, thawed
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro, for topping, optional

Metric
29.57 ml vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 g freshly grated ginger
5 g garam masala
4 g ground cumin
2 g ground turmeric
2 g sweet paprika
1 g cumin seeds
1.5 g mustard seeds
1133.98 g russet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
236.59 ml vegetable broth
236.59 ml full-fat coconut milk
1 (14 ounce or 400 gram) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce or 400 gram) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
72.5 g frozen peas, thawed
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro, for topping, optional

Instructions

Coat the bottom of a large pot with the oil and place it over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the onion. Sweat the onion for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften.
Stir in the garlic, ginger, garam masala, ground cumin, turmeric, paprika, cumin seeds, and mustard seeds. Sauté the mixture for about 1 minute, until it becomes very fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Stir in the potatoes and broth. Raise the heat and bring the liquid to a boil.
Lower the heat and cover the pot. Let the mixture simmer with the lid on for about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart. Remove the lid every so often and give it a stir. (Note 1)
Remove the lid from the pot and stir in the coconut milk, tomatoes, and chickpeas. Let the mixture continue to simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes are very tender and the sauce is thick.
Stir in the peas and remove the pot from heat.
Season the curry with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fresh cilantro.

Recipe Notes

Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot with your spoon every time you stir it. The potatoes can easily settle to the bottom and burn.
This recipe makes about 6 cups of curry.

Chimichurri Beef and Rice
Servings: 4 Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped red or yellow onion
1 lb lean ground beef (85 - 90%)
1 cup chopped red bell pepper (1 medium)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (4 cloves)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cups chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp lime juice, plus wedges for serving

Instructions

Heat a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté 2 minutes.

Crumble in beef and add bell pepper. Cook and let brown, tossing and breaking up occasionally, until cooked through, about 7 - 9 minutes, while adding in garlic during the last 2 minutes.

Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in chicken broth, paprika, oregano, cumin and red pepper flakes and bring mixture to a simmer.

Mix in rice, bring to a boil and let boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover skillet and let rest 8 minutes.

Toss in parsley, cilantro and lime. Serve with lime wedges for spritzing.