Bring on the Rain! (Recipe: “Saag-y” Weather Stewed Spinach and Tofu in Bell Pepper Sauce with Bhutanese Red Rice)

I don’t know about you all, but I couldn’t be more thrilled that the East Coast is getting drenched in inches of cool (read: cold) rain. While at the farmer’s market this Saturday, I overheard that my beloved honeycrisp apples were in peril. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to eating honeycrisp apples by the sackful at the end of summer. We tend to look at the weather with little regard for how it affects all the treats we look forward to eating (like strawberries that I heard will be making an appearance this week at markets), and only think about how we are able to break out our spring dresses early and never have had to locate our snow pants (not that we actually own snow pants in the District).

Miserable, rainy days are the perfect ones for trying out hearty and filling recipes. I caught wind of the idea to make a sauce with peppers and tomatoes with spinach from a friend, and after a little bit of planning, came up with a great recipe that is not only rich and warming, but is also 100% vegan. I took the idea of the traditional Indian dish, Saag Paneer (spinach with chunks of paneer cheese), to come up with an Indian/North African scented-dish that might just be one of the best things I’ve ever created. It also made my apartment smell like something from a gorgeous Delacroix — like my favorite Orientalist painting, Death of Sardanapalus. In efforts to try a new grain from the bulk bin at Whole Foods, I picked up some Bhutanese red rice which adds a great nutty depth to the dish. Also, the cashew butter in this recipe gives the stew a rich, full body that makes it taste decadent.

 

“Saag-y” Weather Stewed Spinach and Tofu in Bell Pepper Sauce with Bhutanese Red Rice

• 3 bell peppers (1 yellow, 1 red, 1 orange)
• 2 lbs. tomatoes (approx. 4 medium)
• 1/2 onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots, peeled
• 1/4 cup EVOO
• 3 heaping tbsp. of cashew butter
  

  Bhutanese red rice ready to be cooked

• 1 can of tomato paste
• 1.5 tsp. garam masala
• 1 tsp. cumin powder
• 1.5 tbsp. Moroccan spice blend (or equivalent combination of chili powder, turmeric, garlic, cumin, black pepper, chili flakes, oregano, onion, coriander)
• 1/2 tsp. dried sweet basil
• 1 sprig of fresh oregano (fresh oregano gives the dish a smokiness that cannot be achieved with dry)
• 1.5 lbs. frozen chopped spinach
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 package organic firm tofu, drained and cut into cubes
• salt to taste
• 1 cup Bhutanese red rice
• 2 cups of water

In a blender or food processor, puree the peppers, tomatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic. (I had to do this in 3 batches to fit into my food processor.) Pour the sauce into a stock pot. Heat over medium-high heat and add the EVOO and cashew butter, stirring constantly until cashew butter is mixed into the sauce. Add in spices, tomato paste, and about a tbsp of kosher salt (remember to adjust the salt depending on the size of flakes — table salt is saltier bc the particles are smaller) and continue to stir the sauce as it thickens up. Taste the sauce and add additional salt if needed.

Drain the tofu and slice into cubes. Add the tofu, chickpeas, and spinach to the sauce. Bring to a bubble and turn heat down to a simmer. Make sure to taste the sauce after the spinach cooks since the additional water may require increased salt. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.

In a medium sauce pot, heat a tbsp. of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the rice. Stir around for 2 minutes. Add in water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 30-45 minutes, or until water evaporates. Let rice sit for 10 minutes. Serve the sauce over rice.

lots of leftovers for the week

I hope that you’ll put your food processors and blenders to good use and give this SUPER EASY recipe a try.

xoxo,
the happenstance gourmande

Recipe: Kale & White Bean Stir-Fry with Moroccan Spiced Tofu

Toward the end of my juicing cleanse, the idea hit me to take the leftover kale (of which there was SO much) and make a stir-fry with cannellini beans. I pretty much love all beans and figured that on day 2 of post-cleanse eating, I’d be able to introduce some of my favorite legumes back to my belly. In addition to my reintroduction to the mighty bean, last night was my first meal of non-raw ingredients. It had been a looooong time since I’d had something cooked and boy was it nice.

In the spirit of frugality and clean eating, here is an awesome poster that I came across of American World War I propaganda. Looks like eating clean and buying local is nothing new. How did we get so off course…

Just by using up some of my random leftover ingredients (and the addition of a few new others), I created a recipe that I thought was amazing and I think you’ll agree. I used sprouted tofu instead of regular as it is easier to digest than regular tofu AND more nutritious. I strongly suggest giving it (and anything else sprouted — including my favorite sprouted wheat multigrain Alvarado Street bread) a try! Also, if you get a chance to visit the Spice and Tea Exchange in Georgetown, they have an amazing selection of spices and spice blends, including the Moroccan Spice blend that I used.

Kale & White Bean Stir-Fry with Moroccan Spiced Tofu

• 8 oz. extra-firm organic sprouted tofu, pressed and dried and cut into cubes (make sure to use organic tofu because most non-organic tofu contains ICKY genetically modified soy)
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 3-4 cups of kale, chopped or torn
• 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tbsp. Moroccan Spice blend (or a blend of chili powder, turmeric, garlic, olive salt, cumin, black pepper, chili flakes, oregano, onion, coriander)
• 1-2 tbsp. Braggs Amino Acids
• EVOO
• handful of raw cashews

Sprinkle both sides of tofu cubes with spice blend. Pour a bit of olive oil into a heated frying plan and place tofu cubes in a single layer.

Saute tofu for 3-4 minutes. Once tofu is browned on the bottom, flip each piece over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Remove sautéed tofu from frying pan and place aside. In a wok, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook onion and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Turn to medium-low heat and add tomatoes to the wok. Stir and let cook for a minute. Add the kale to the wok.

Add in the Braggs Amino Acids. Stir the mixture as the kale releases its water and wilts. Add the white beans and stir until they become warm. Add the tofu to the wok and stir and let simmer for 2 minutes. Top each plated serving with a sprinkle of raw cashews for added texture. Done.

I promise that this tastes good…and it’s not out of desperation since I had previously been sans solids for 10 days. If I can keep cranking out recipes like these, being vegan for at least 5 days a week will be no problem at all.

I will leave you with the perfect bite.

xoxo,
the happenstance gourmande