Vegetable "Beef" Soup

It has been bitterly cold here this week.  We have had 25+ mph winds and most of that is sustained.  With temps in the high 30s/low 40s soup was what we needed to warm up.

1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
2 cups green cabbage, chopped (you can leave this out if you wish)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
6 cups tomato juice
3 cups water
2 cups frozen green beans
1 cup diced potato
1 cup frozen corn
2 tsp better than boullion no beef base

2 tbsp oil/margarine

* place oil/margarine in large stock pot and saute carrots and onions
* add tomato juice and water
* add in all other vegetables and seasonings and bring to a boil
* simmer at least 45 minutes

Please note that the boullion is easier to put in the soup when it has come to a boil. 

Serve with warm rolls or oyster crackers

"Beef" Stew Recipe Review

If you have ever started researching vegan foods you will find there are products on the market that are meat replacers.  Recently I found a product called gardein.  I was super excited to try the "beef" stew recipe so last week I bought all that we needed for the recipe in hopes for success.

Here is the recipe:

Gardein Beefless Stew

Ingredients:
gardein beefless tips - 1 package
vegetable oil - 3 tbsp
pearl onions - 10 oz package
garlic, minced - 2 cloves
celery stalks, thinly sliced - 2
carrots, 1/2 inch dice - 2
dried thyme - 1/2 tsp
dried rosemary - 1/2 tsp
flour - 3 tbsp
vegan "beef" stock - 3 cups
dry red wine - 1 cup
medium potatoes, 1/2 inch dice - 2
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium high heat, add beefless tips and brown on all sides. Remove from saucepan and set aside. 

Add pearl onions, garlic and celery to saucepan and cook for 3 minutes. Add carrots, thyme, and rosemary and continue to cook for 3 minutes.

Sprinkle in flour, then slowly add broth and wine while stirring.

Add potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add beefless tips back in and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

VERDICT - Thumbs down if you include the meat :-(

I was very pleased with the beef flavor that came from the vegan beef stock.  The stew itself without the meat is very appealing to the palate and would satisfy any meat eaters craving in a no meat world.  The vegan beef stock is a product I am likely to use over and over in dishes where I want the taste but can't have the real thing.

I do have a few more gardein products that I will need to try as they were already purchased although now I'm a little apprehensive.