One-Dish Vegan

Yesterday, I blogged about our Food Awareness Thanksgiving potluck, which was held last Saturday. But I didn't show you my contribution. That's because I wanted to save the picture for a review post tonight.

This Chickpea & Kale Stew was the first dish I tried from One-Dish Vegan, the new cookbook by vegan maven Robin Robertson.

It's a simple dish with big flavor — chickpeas, kale, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes. It's all slow-simmered with cumin, coriander, oregano, and cayenne. It went over so well at the potluck that I had no leftovers! I should eat really more meals like this —just beans and veggies and a starch. This time of year, as I prepare for the holiday time of massive meals and sugar galore, I start dreaming of all the healthy stuff (like this dish) that I'll eat to cleanse my system when the holidays are over.

One-Dish Vegan would be just the book to use to reset your system. It's not designed as a cleanse book or anything, but every dish in this book is made with whole foods (mostly beans, a little tofu and tempeh, and hardly any fake meat). Don't get me wrong — I LOVE fake meat and dairy-free cheese. But sometimes, we need a break from that stuff.

All the dishes in this book are complete meals in one bowl or plate, hence the book's name. There are chilis, stews, casseroles, soups, and even salads with all your food groups (most of the salads contains grains as well as veggies).

I have a few recipes bookmarked for those days when I can focus on healthy foods again — Brown Rice with White Beans, Shiitakes, and Spinach, Garlic Lover's Chili (it has 8 cloves!), Japanese-Style Coconut Rice Bowl (sweet potato, kidney beans, zucchini, coconut milk, and rice), and Artichoke Spaghetti Pie.

But those things will have to wait at least until we get Thanksgiving out of the way. I just baked a Tofurky and a big pot of gravy to take to work tomorrow for the annual company Thanksgiving potluck!