pot pie with pizza crust

  

Overview

Time: 30 minutes
Dishes: large pot, baking sheet, oven 

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

I heard of the idea of using pizza dough as the crust of a pot pie, so when I first made this meatless, vegetarian and vegan dish, I made a pizza crust (baking it into the pan first) and then adding the pot pie filling and baking it a bit more. Well,.. it didn't turn out quite as I intended, but the flavors were great and my son-in-law asked me to make it again.

This time I just baked the crust as a pizza crust, topped with some vegan cheese, and served it along side the pot pie. This turned out to be faster, not as messy, not as soggy, but still very tasty. 

Although you might expect the crust to be on the bottom of the pot pie, it turns out better as more of a top to the pot pie. Roll the pizza dough into a regular pizza-looking crust, or cut into circles and then top them on to bowls of the pot pie. 

My husband, however, defied my logic and added the crust to the bowl, topped the crust with the filling and then used a knife and fork to eat it. He liked it that way, so I say more power to him.

If you need inspiration for your weekly menu, check out ours HERE.

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• If dough is refrigerated allow it to warm first.
• The pizza takes about 15 minutes to bake; start there.
• Make the filling while the crust bakes.
• Finish with the nondairy milk while the cheese melts, if using.
• Serve the crust with the filling - under, over or next to each other.

 

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Pot Pie with Pizza Crust

www.ZsusVeganPantry.com

Makes 4 servings 

weekday

Preheat oven to 450-F

12 to 16-ounces pizza dough

4 to 6 slices vegan cheese (optional)

1 teaspoon olive oil

10-ounces vegan chicken-style strips or Savory Tofu

1/2 onion, chopped fine

3 medium carrots, sliced thin

2 cup chopped green beans or zucchini

1/2 cup corn or peas (optional)

6 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tablespoon Easy Savory Broth Mix or 2 teaspoons Better Than Bullion

2 1/2 cups unsweetened, plain nondairy milk

1. Crust: Allow pizza dough to come to room temperature, if chilled. Roll out to 12-inches. Place on a baking sheet and spray with oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until browned. If adding cheese, bake for 10 minutes, add cheese and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove and cut into wedges. 

2. Protein: Heat the oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the protein and cook until browned, using a lid, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Chop when cool, if needed.

3. Vegetables: Add the onion, carrot, green beans and corn to the now empty skillet. Cook over medium heat, using a lid, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir as needed:

4. Gravy: Add the flour and broth mix to the Vegetables. Mix well and cook 3 minutes.

5.  Add the milk to the Gravy, 1/4-cup at a time, while stirring until smooth, to prevent lumps. Add the chopped Protein. Season to taste. Bring to simmer and cook until Vegetables are tender. Serve with the Crust on top or as a side. 

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

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vegan vegetarian meatless plant-based

one pot chili mac - dump dinner

  

Overview

Time: 30 minutes
Dishes: large pot or large skillet

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

As promised, another meatless, vegetarian and vegan dump dinner. It makes complete sense to make this dish as a dump dinner, as long as you keep an eye on the pasta to not over cook. Mine did, but I'm not sure I mind in a 30 minute meal. If this is important to you, just check on it periodically. The pasta should be al dente when the spinach and cheese are added (if using).

This was ready fast. I tend to like casserole dishes with lots of vegan cheese, so I was a happy diner. If you don't like vegan cheese, skip it! 

I love how fast this came together. I didn't have to make a separate batch of chili to have this ready and it was delicious. You can tweak it with more spices or heat, but the base is easy and simple. 

If you need inspiration for your weekly menu, check out ours HERE.

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• Gather your ingredients.
• Add the frozen grounds to the pan before you chop the onion. Use a lid.
• Add the pasta and stir well before adding the broth. This will keep the pasta separate to cook properly. 
• I used water with a few teaspoons of broth mix or vegetable bullion. 
• Test the pasta after 7 minutes to avoid overcooking. It should be al dente before the spinach and cheese gets added, if using.

 

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One Pot Chili Mac

www.ZsusVeganPantry.com

Makes 4 servings 

weekday

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups (about 1 bag) frozen grounds

12 ounces elbow pasta 

4 cups vegetable broth

1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach (optional)

1 cup vegan shredded yellow or orange cheese (optional)

1. Protein: Add the oil to a large pot or skillet, over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and grounds. Cover and cook until the onion is golden, about 5 minutes. Stir as needed. 

2. Pasta: Add the pasta to the Protein and stir well to coat the pasta evenly. 

3. Beans and Broth: Add the broth, beans, tomato, chili powder, cumin, and salt to the Pasta. Stir well. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer. Cover and cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.

4. Spinach and Cheese (optional): Stir in the spinach. Mix well to wilt. Add the vegan cheese, cover and cook until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Serve. 

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

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vegan vegetarian meatless plant-based

making savory tofu

Welcome to Making Mondays, dear Readers! 

Today's Making Monday recipe is this meatless, vegetarian, and vegan Savory Tofu. This is an easy take on my Marinated Tofu recipe that is from Everyday Vegan Eats; it is adapted to use the Easy Savory Broth Mix.

This tofu can be fried in the air-fryer or pan sautéed. It is perfect for any place you would like a chicken-style flavor and bite. Since the tofu is not marinated overnight or for a long period of time, it can be ready for use in a dish anytime.

The tofu can either be stored in the marinade for later frying or fried up and stored. It is perfect for snacking or adding to salads. 

This recipe takes a neutral tofu and transforms its texture and flavor in no time. It is easy and fast to make, so anytime you need a flavorful protein, head to this recipe. 

Below is the step by step.

Enjoy!

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Making Savory Tofu

Makes about 2 1/2 cups; doubles easily 

www.ZsusVeganPantry.com

1. Tofu: Press the tofu for 15 minutes, up to overnight. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.  

14-ounces firm or extra firm tofu

2. Liquid flavoring: Add the ingredients to a medium pot, bring to boil, add the Tofu and reduce to simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set the tofu aside with the liquid for 10 minutes, or store the tofu with the liquid for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator once cooled. 

2 cups water

1 tablespoon Easy Savory Broth Mix

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

3. Sautee: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the drained Tofu and cook, stirring as needed, until golden, about 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, spray with oil and air-fry 400F for 5 to 10 minutes. Use in recipes or serve as is. If storing for later use, store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

1 tablespoon olive oil

© 2021 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

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stroganoff burrito

  

Overview

Time: 30 minutes
Dishes: large skillet, baking sheet, oven

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

As easy and fast as it is to make meatless, vegetarian and vegan Stroganoff (an excellent recipe is in Everyday Vegan Eats), I was ready to see if there was an even faster and easier way to make it. Instead of preparing pasta, I decided to roll it in a burrito.

Firstly, the Stroganoff is great - well-seasoned and flavorful. It is not as saucy as if making it for pasta, but, instead, it is perfect for filling a burrito. After rolling the filling in a warm tortilla (warmed so it does not break), I broiled it until the tortilla was crisp. 

The sauce is seasoned easily with my Easy Savory Broth Mix and a bit of Dijon mustard. The all-important vegan sour cream is added at the end, with the heat off. About 10 ingredients and lunch was ready in less than 30 minutes. 

The burrito was an excellent way to prepare this. I sautéed some Brussels sprouts on the side (another recipe in EVE) and served it with sliced apples. 

It was fast, filling and delicious. Note that this serves only 2 or 3 in large fajita-sized burritos. That is the way with mushrooms - it looks like a ton going into the pan and then you wonder where it all went when it comes time to fill a tortilla. Worth it, though. Very tasty. 

NEW TO PLANT-BASED EATING? Get my free zines and check out the wrap-up of Fall 2020 recipes HERE. Great way to set yourself up for success!

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• Gather ingredients.
• Heat the pan and add the mushrooms as they are sliced.
• Chop the onion, pepper and garlic and add as they are ready.
• Cook on high and only stir when needed to allow the mushrooms to release their liquid and brown instead of steam.
• Be sure to turn the heat off before adding sour cream.
• Preheat broiler before adding the sour cream. 

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Stroganoff Burrito

www.ZsusVeganPantry.com

Makes 2 to 3 servings 

easy

1. Mushroom: Add the oil to a large skillet, over high heat. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper, onion and garlic. Season with salt. Cook until the mushrooms are golden and the pan is almost dry, about 10-15 minutes. Stir only as needed. 

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 1/2 pounds mushrooms (button, crimini, portobello, oyster), sliced

1 small pepper, diced

1/2 small onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2. Seasoning: Add the broth mix, mustard, and tomato paste to the Mushrooms. Mix well. Cook for 1 minute. 

1 tablespoons Easy Savory Broth mix

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons tomato paste 

3. Sour Cream: Turn off the heat. Preheat the broiler. Add the sour cream to the Mushrooms. Mix well. Season with salt and black pepper.

1/2 cup vegan sour cream

4. Broil: Warm the tortillas over the stove burner or microwave for 10 seconds. Fill the tortillas with the Mushrooms. Roll and place on a baking sheet. Spray with oil and broil until golden, about 3 minutes. Serve. 

2 or 3 large burrito-size tortillas 

Oil spray

© 2021 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

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kettle goulash

  

Overview

Time: 30 minutes
Dishes: large pot 

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

Although no kettle required, real Hungarian Goulash is slightly thick, but not from flour; it is thick from paprika and the starch from the potato. In fact, there is six tablespoons of paprika in this meatless, vegetarian and vegan soup. It was really scrumptious and so easy to make! 

Kettle Goulash differs from regular Goulash in thickness. Regular Goulash is more soupy and Kettle Goulash is thicker - whether that is because of the method of cooking (kettle on an open fire evaporates liquid faster) or because of the mounds of paprika that is poured on the meat even before any liquid is added, I am not sure. However, I do know that I like this version a lot! If you like it soupier, add more water and serve with pasta.

I used Gardein beefless tips this time, but both my son and I think it would be better with seitan. Our husbands, however, thought it was great as is - so there you have it - a matter of opinion, again. 

I made this the old-fashioned way, where the onion is first cooked a little and then the protein is added and shrouded in paprika. It is not stirred but is covered and cooked for 5 minutes. Then the broth is added along with the vegetables, stirred well, and simmered. 

I highly recommend trying this soup! Serve with some crusty bread and garlicky greens; it is very filling and delicious, not to mention crazy easy to make.

NEW TO PLANT-BASED EATING? Get my free zines and check out the wrap-up of Fall 2020 recipes HERE. Great way to set yourself up for success!

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• Chop the onions and garlic.
• Chop the seitan (or use beefless tips; do not thaw) while the onion cooks.
• Cover to cook the protein and paprika together.
• Chop the vegetable while the protein cooks.

 

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Goulash

www.ZsusVeganPantry.com

Makes 4 to 6 servings 

easy

1. Onion Base: Add the oil to a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes, until the onion is golden. 

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2. Protein: Add the Gardein or seitan on top of the Onion Base. Add the paprika evenly. Do not stir. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. 

4 cups frozen Gardein beefless tips or diced Easy Simple Seitan (Fall 2020) 

6 tablespoons Hungarian paprika

3. Vegetables: Add the potato, celery, carrot, pepper, tomato paste and vegetable broth. Stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to boil and reduce to a medium simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.  

2 large Russet potatoes (20 ounces total), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes

2 celery ribs, sliced

1 medium carrots, sliced 

1 medium bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

4 cups vegetable broth

4. Serve: Season to taste and serve with crusty bread. 

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

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