Comfort food has long been a term associated with meat; pot roasts, shepherd’s pie and beef stew. But comfort food can be just as hearty and delicious without meat! If you’re looking to cook up something cosy without compromising your vegetarianism, here are a few warming traditional recipes using tasty meat substitutes!
Hearty Vegetarian Chili
Sauté in a deep skillet over medium heat:
- 2 tbsp. (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp. (30 ml) chili powder or ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. (2 ml) cayenne pepper
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
Add a pack of soy crumbles and continue cooking for 5 minutes:
Stir in and cook over low heat for 30 minutes:
- 1 large can black beans, undrained
- 1 large can red kidney beans, undrained
- 1 large can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large can peeled, crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 3 cups (675 ml) water
Ladle into bowls and garnish with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Serve piping hot with warm corn bread or crusty French rolls for a delicious warming dish guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser!
Easy Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
This dish has been a comfort classic for several centuries, and got its name because shepherds cooked leftover roasted lamb into “pies.” The modern day version of Shepherd’s Pie is always topped with a thick layer of mashed potatoes.
Sauté in a deep skillet:
- 2 tbsp. (30 ml) vegetable oil or butter
- 30 mushrooms, chopped
Stir In:
- 1 package soy crumbles or diced tofu
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Add:
- 1 large can chopped tomatoes
- 1 large can green beans (or 1 package frozen)
- 1 large can whole kernel corn
Cook for 5 minutes or, if using fresh vegetables, until crisp and tender.
Add salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce to taste, and transfer the vegetable mixture to a large casserole dish or two pie dishes.
Top with whipped potatoes, sealing the vegetable mixture to the edges of the dish.
Sprinkle the potatoes with Paprika and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F (176°C). Shepherd’s Pie can be prepared with any combination of vegetables; try variations of carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and parsnips.
Sloppy Joes
This recipe originated in the United States, but has gained global popularity. It is quick, easy, hearty and definitely sloppy—you might want to cover your table with a plastic tablecloth before you serve this classic!
Sauté in a skillet over medium heat:
- 2 tbsp. (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Stir In:
- 1 package crumbled tofu or 1 packet of soy crumbles.
Add:
- 1 large can tomato sauce
- 2 tsp. (10 ml) chili powder
- 1 tsp. (5 ml) cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cook for 10 minutes or until all the ingredients are heated through. Ladle the Sloppy Joe’s between and on top of hamburger buns.
These vegetarian versions are great for a cosy night at home, but are perfectly wonderful main dishes to serve guests as well. What’s your favorite vegetarian version of comfort food? We’d love to hear from you.
About our guest blogger
Paulette Zander is a writer and food lover. She writes for Wipe Easy Tablecloths.
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