I followed last week’s fitness and meal plan almost 100% (like 97%)! [I’m just as shocked as you are]
The only thing I’m not posting a recipe for is the lentil “meatloaf” – but that’s because I’ve shared a few others already. This one was most like the mushroom version (the first link).
The kale salad I made is basically this one.
The chili recipe is here.
And last, but NOT EVEN REMOTELY least, is the sausage & spinach stew.
Okay, so this is my favorite dish at the moment. I had the leftovers for lunch and dinner and then lunch twice more. And each time I couldn’t wait to dig in. So warm. So comforting. Hearty and filling while also light and clean (and vegan). I’m already planning on making it again next week.
Italian Sausage & Spinach Stew [vegan]
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 large handfuls of spinach
- 5-7 basil leaves, chopped
- 2 Italian flavored vegan sausages, sliced into half moons (I used tofurky brand)
- 3 large celery stalks, sliced
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 3-5 yukon gold potatoes, diced
- 4 (+/-) cups vegetable broth
Directions:
In a large soup pot, add oil and sauté onions until translucent. Next add spinach, basil and sausage. Let the sausage bronze and the greens wilt, then add the veggies and broth. Increase or decrease the broth depending on how thin or chunky you want the soup to be. Then cover with a lid and let it simmer until the veggies are cooked.
If you want, you can chop a few of the potatoes smaller so they over-cook a bit and get mushy to thicken the soup even more.
Before cooking (above) and ready to serve (below).
Freakin’ fantastic. This is like leftover Thanksgiving stew for vegans. Mmmmm…
On the dessert front, I only have one slice of birthday cake left. 🙁
Good thing I have Halloween candy and cookies exploding from the treat drawer.
On the beverage front, I’m obsessed with both of these guys.
I only bought the vanilla bean crème brulee coffee because Target was all out of the decaf pumpkin flavor. Boo! But this was a winner of a backup, so I’ll buy it again. The Stash tea is the only decaf chai variety that I’ve ever liked in the history of ever, so I’m pretty stoked. I’m a chai-a-holic, but haven’t been into any of the non caffeinated versions I’ve tried (there aren’t many to choose from). This is also one of the cheapest teas I’ve ever bought. Pretty good stuff.
I’ll be back later with the game plan for this week.
So I guess onions don’t bother you? I’m trying to adjust to cooking without onions and garlic, because those are my top FODMAPs irritants. It’s hard to adjust, though, because every soup recipe starts with them, and it’s soup season! I guess I’ll just have to skip them and hope that things taste ok?
Yum, I love Target Archer Brand coffee! They always have the best flavors!
Are the sausages gluten-free? I would have to pass on the onions and garlic as well. It looks delicious!!
Thanks for the awesome stew recipe! I love this time of year! 🙂
Mmmm that soup looks fab. I’ve been eating soup for like every meal…it’s just so easy to reheat and eat!
Pingback: Vegan sausage stew & other faves
Vanilla bean creme brulee coffee?! yesssssss
ok so ive been using half an onion in recipes lately and it doesnt seem to bother me. garlic is def a no go but garlic infused olive oil is a good way around it. veg broth is hard, but bouillon cubes seem better tolerated than store bought liquid stock/broth, so i use those.
adding basil (and other fresh or dried herbs like rosemary and thyme) is a big flavor booster too.
agreeeeeed! i just wish their decaf selection matched their caffeinated one bc omg all the flavors!!!
they arent gf but unlike field roast they arent vital wheat gluten based…i tolerate these (assuming i eat ~1/2 a sausage portion per serving of soup) fine. field roast messes up my gut for sure.
maybe give it a shot without the onion and with a gf sausage (or just tempeh).
right??!?!?
Can you please explain further on this subject? In prior posts and articles you have stated that Vital Wheat Gluten is FODMAPS friendly and a “loophole” in the vegan FODMAPS free protein category. This may be confusing to some who have been following you for quite a while, and for those seeking information from your extensive recipe list. See this article for why I am confused 🙂
http://fodmapsdiet.com/2012/01/10/thoughts-on-the-elimination-phase/
hi nicole,
i just re-read my response and i can definitely see how it would be confusing. i meant to answer the question for a gluten free diet not a fodmaps diet. she asked about them being gluten free, so thats why i focused on gf not fodmaps per se.
vital wheat gluten is fodmaps safe. its not safe for a celiac or gluten free diet though.
and in comparing the 2 sausages, i only meant to say that i seem to tolerate the (soy based) tofurky brand better than the field roast brand. both have vital wheat gluten though making neither an option for someone on a gluten free diet. not sure why i tolerate one over the other in terms of fodmaps though. just one of those weird ibs things i guess? or maybe its a portion thing?
hope that helps clear it up!
Love your recipes and your posts!! I am following closely. Thank you so much Elise!!
I’m a total dark roast caffinated coffee purist- but i’m with you on the chai spiced teas!! I reaaallllly love Good Earth’s decaf chai (i drink it at night) and recently found yogi’s india spice tea, which tastes like chai but for some reason has a different name…..
That soup looks like its totally meal repeat worthy!
I’ve been loving the Stash “spice dragon red chai”. It’s made with rooibos and really delicious! I got several bags in the October Vegan Cuts sample box 🙂