Tag: Vegan

The Spicy Plant-Based Cookbook: 200 Recipes For More Flavor

Adams Media, Cajun/Creole, Chocolate, Vegetarian

Vegan and vegetarian doesn’t have to be boring. Hard to believe? Then check-out The Spicy Plant-Based Cookbook. Featuring 200 easy-to-make, plant-based recipes that transforms everyday meals from “blah” to “bam,” this book is perfect not only for vegan and vegetarian eaters but for anyone wanting to increase the number of plants into their diet and are looking to kick things up a notch by adding spicy flavors.

From Jalapeno Hash Browns to Mango Chili Sorbet, this book has recipes for every meal of the day and also includes a beginner-friendly guide to the plant-based diet (plant-based is plant-forward, but doesn’t necessarily require followers to cut all animal product options).

Here are some recipes to try.

Bourbon and Chili Brownies

yields 12 big brownies

This recipe yields dense, chewy brownies with spicy hints of chili and bourbon. Sprinkle extra chili powder on top after baking for extra heat.

  • 4 ounces vegan chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 1 stick vegan margarine, softened and cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Egg replacer equivalent to 2 eggs
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1⁄4 cup bourbon
  • 1⁄2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ancho chili powder

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8″ square baking pan.

In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate and margarine. Microwave 20 seconds at a time until melted; stir until smooth. (You can also melt the chocolate and margarine in a small saucepan on the stove over low heat.)

Transfer chocolate mixture to a large bowl. Add sugar and stir to combine.

Add egg replacer and stir until smooth. Add vanilla and bourbon, then stir.

Add flour, salt, cinnamon, and chili powder. Stir gently until smooth.

Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, until just set in the middle and a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.

Let brownies cool before cutting.

Per Brownie

Serves 2

Calories: 218 | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 31mg

Cajun Tempeh Po’Boy

This hot and spicy recipe makes two very large sandwiches, so bring your appetite—or you can save some for later.

  • 1 (13-ounce) package tempeh, cut into small, bite-sized squares
  • 1⁄2 cup olive oil
  • 5 medium cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium loaf French baguette, sliced crosswise and then lengthwise in half
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 2 medium tomatoes, cored and sliced

In a 4-quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients except bread, lettuce, and tomatoes. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.

Assemble the sandwiches on bread by layering the tempeh, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Note: All “dressed” up

Traditional New Orleans po’boys are served either plain or dressed. Dressed means it’s topped with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mayonnaise, but you can substitute Vegenaise to keep the sandwich vegan.

Mango-Citrus Salsa

Yields 2 cups

Salsa has a variety of uses, and this recipe adds color and variety to your usual chips and dip or Mexican dishes. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro and enjoy with tortilla chips.

  • 1 medium mango, peeled, pitted, and chopped
  • 2 medium tangerines, peeled and chopped
  • 1⁄2 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
  • 1⁄2 medium red onion, peeled and minced
  • 3 medium cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1⁄2 medium jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Gently toss to mix well.

Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend. Store any leftover salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

  • Per 1 Cup
  • Calories: 178 | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 587mg
  • Carbohydrates: 45g | Fiber: 6g
  • Sugar: 35g | Protein: 3g

Nom Nom Paleo Let’s Go! Simple Feasts + Healthy Eats

Andrews-McMeel, Asian cooking, Chinese, Gluten-free, Keto, Nut-free, Paleo, Plant Powered, Regional & Ethnic, Seasonal Recipes, Whole30

Michelle Tam and Henry Fong, the James Beard Award nominated creators of Nom Nom Paleo, a website and award-winning cooking app, newest cookbook, Nom Paleo Let’s Go! Simple Feasts + Healthy Eats (Volume 3) features more keto-friendly, Whole30, and plant-based recipes.  Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, it’s a fun book but serious as well, with 2000 step-by-step instructions, lots of photos and illustrations, and a dash of snarky humor.

It’s the third in their series of cookbooks, the first two of which were both New York Times bestsellers. Tam, who holds a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of California, develops recipes based upon the Cantonese meals her mother cooked for the family when she was growing up and the immigrant cuisine of the San Francisco Bay area where she grew up as well as such American teen basics as cheeseburgers and French fries.

Tam and Fong operate on the premise that weeknight suppers should be healthy and flavor-packed as well as fast and simple. Weekends and celebrations, on the other hand, are the perfect excuse to craft elevated (but easy) crowd-pleasers. Nom Paleo Let’s Go! offers crazy-delicious recipes for all occasions, and every single one is free of grains, gluten, dairy, and refined sugar.

Fong is an attorney who does the photography and illustrations for their books as well as the over all design. In all, they both seem to have a lot of fun in the kitchen and in writing their cookbooks.

All three books coordinate with a multitude of specialty diets—paleo, keto-friendly, vegan, nut-free, Whole30, and plant-based and every single recipe is free of grains, gluten, refined sugar, and dairy. But if it all sounds too healthy, no one you’re cooking for needs to know how nutritious the dishes are. And they won’t know based on the taste either as it’s all seriously yummy.

As always, Nom Nom Paleo’s recipes reflect the diverse cuisines Michelle grew up with and culinary ideas from her travels. Often Asian-inspired, Michelle’s unfussy recipes maximize flavor, optimize whole foods, and are presented with photos of each step so they’re absolutely foolproof–even for novice cooks! New recipes include: Cantonese Roast Duck, Nom Nom Chili Crisp, Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole, Chicken Karaage, Instant Pot Balsamic Beef Stew, and Paleo-Friendly Cream Puffs.

Hash Brown Fish

Umami Stir Fry Powder

  • ⅔ cup dehydrated chopped scallions
  • 6½ tablespoons kosher salt
  • ¼ cup dried shiitake mushroom powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper

Hash Brown Fish

  • 1 pound Russet potatoes, peeled
  • ½ cup scallions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup avocado oil or ghee, divided
  • 2 teaspoons umami stir fry powder or kosher salt, divided
  • Four 5-ounce skinless sea bass or cod fillets, each about ¾-inch thick
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges

MAKE THE UMAMI STIR FRY POWDER (IF DESIRED): Toss all of the ingredients into a mini food processor or spice grinder. Blend to make a fine powder, scraping down the sides occasionally to make sure the dehydrated green onions are totally powderized. (This seasoning will keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.)

MAKE THE HASH BROWN FISH: Grate the potatoes with a food processor or by using the large holes of a box grater.

Bundle the shredded potatoes in a clean kitchen towel. Then, wring out the potatoes and discard the liquid.

In a large bowl, toss together the shredded potatoes, scallions and 1 teaspoon of umami stir fry powder or kosher salt.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the other teaspoon of umami stir fry powder or kosher salt on the fish fillets.

Heat a large cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, and then add 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee to the hot pan.

Add two ⅓-cup mounds of potatoes to the pan and flatten them into rectangles, approximating the size of your fish fillets.

Smush a fish fillet onto each potato layer and cover each one with a thin layer of shredded potatoes.

Fry for 5 to 8 minutes or until the bottom layer of potatoes is crisp and golden brown.

Carefully flip the fillet packets over with a fish spatula and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes on the other side.

Once the other potato layer is nicely browned and the center of the fish registers 135°F on an instant-read thermometer, transfer to a plate.

Repeat steps 6 to 11 with the remaining fish and potatoes and serve with lemon wedges.

Ginger Scallion Sauce

This salty, herbaceous condiment is exponentially greater than the sum of its parts. It’s traditionally served with whole poached chicken, but growing up, I would put it on everything! This sauce is transformative, lending massive flavor to any savory dish.

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup finely minced scallions
  • 3 tablespoons finely minced fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ½ cup avocado oil

Method:

Toss the scallions, ginger, salt, and white pepper in a large heat-proof bowl or 2-cup measuring cup.

Stir it all together.

In a small saucepan over high heat, warm the oil until it’s shimmering but not quite smoking. 

Add a tiny piece of scallion to test the heat of the oil. If you see lots of little bubbles, the oil’s ready. (Or just check that the oil reaches 375°F on an instant-read thermometer.)

Pour the hot oil into the scallion and ginger mixture a little at a time. It’ll sizzle and boil, so be careful!

Stir well and let the sauce cool to room temperature. The sauce can be refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 2 weeks or frozen in an ice cube tray for up to 3 months.

All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce

Despite its name, my All-Purpose Stir-Fry Sauce isn’t just for stir-fries: it’s a fundamental component in recipes of all kinds. This ultra-versatile sauce keeps in the refrigerator 

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut aminos
  • ½ cup fresh orange or pineapple juice
  • ¼ cup paleo-friendly fish sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Method:

Combine all the ingredients in a measuring cup or jar. Mix it all together.

Char Siu (Chinese Barbecue Pork)

Makes 8 servings

  • ½ cup plum, peach, or apricot jam, sweetened only with fruit juice
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional, not Whole30)
  • 1 teaspoon paleo-friendly fish sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
  • 2  teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt 
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced (optional)

Pour the jam into a small saucepan. To stay paleo-friendly, be sure to use a high-quality, 100% fruit jam.

Next, toss in the coconut aminos, tomato paste, almond butter, honey (if desired), fish sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, and ground ginger.

Whisk the marinade as you heat it to a simmer over medium heat.

Once the marinade is bubbling and smooth, transfer it to a measuring cup and let it cool to room temperature. (Not ready to roast the pork? You can store the sauce in the fridge for up to 4 days.)

Next, prepare the pork. Blot the pork shoulder with a paper towel. Then, slice the pork shoulder into 2-inch strips of even thickness.

The pork strips should be roughly uniform in size. It’s fine to have fatty pieces of pork because: (1) it’s tasty, and (2) you don’t want to end up with dry char siu. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of kosher salt all over the pork pieces.

Place the pork in a large bowl or in a zippered food storage bag. Pour all except ⅓ cup of the cooled marinade onto the pork. Cover and refrigerate the reserved marinade.

Use your hands to coat the marinade all over the pork strips. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for 2 to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to roast the pork, heat the oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle position. Arrange the pork on an oven-safe wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, flipping the pork pieces at the halfway point. Take the pork out of the oven and increase the temperature to 400°F.

Brush half of the reserved marinade on the tops of the pork pieces. Pour enough water into the bottom of the pan so that you have a thin layer coating the bottom. This will keep the drippings from burning while the pork cooks.

Roast for 25 minutes. Then, flip the pork pieces over and brush on the remaining marinade. Cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the pork is slightly charred on the edges. Rest the pork for 10 minutes, and then slice against the grain into bite-size pieces.

Arrange the pork on a serving dish and garnish with 2 sliced scallions, if desired.

Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken

Serves 4

This easy sheet pan meal is my riff on Huli Huli Chicken, a classic Hawaiian barbecue staple featuring a sweet and savory sauce made with pineapple juice, ketchup, and soy sauce. Believe me: no one can resist a pan of sticky chicken and pineapple, especially when it’s re-imagined with healthier, paleo-friendly ingredients. Don’t substitute fresh pineapple and ginger for canned pineapple and ground ginger! The fresh stuff contains enzymes that break down proteins, so if you use ’em, they’ll make your chicken mushy!

Ingredients

  • 1 (13.5-ounce) can pineapple rings in pineapple juice
  • ½ cup paleo-friendly ketchup
  • ½ cup coconut aminos
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon paleo-friendly fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ¾ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds 
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Method:

Open up the pineapple can and set aside the pineapple rings.

Pour ½ cup of the pineapple juice from the can into a large measuring cup. (We won’t be using the rest.)

Add the ketchup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, honey, fish sauce, sesame oil to the pineapple juice in the measuring cup. Toss in the ground ginger and minced garlic. Whisk it all together to form a marinade.

Place the chicken in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Pour in ½ cup of the marinade. Set aside the remaining marinade.

Toss the chicken well. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes or up to a day in the fridge.

In the meantime, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Then, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid has thickened into a sauce. Remove from the heat and set aside. You should now have about 1 cup of sauce. 

Set aside about ¼ cup of the sauce to baste the chicken, and save the rest to serve with the finished dish.

Heat the oven to 400°F on convection mode or 425°F on regular mode with the rack in the middle.

Arrange the chicken thighs and the pineapple rings in a single layer on a rimmed, greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Bake for 15 minutes. Then, rotate the tray and brush the reserved ¼ cup of cooked sauce onto the chicken thighs and pineapple rings. 

Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until the thickest part of the thighs register 165°F on a meat thermometer.

Garnish the chicken and pineapple with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve with the reserved sauce!

Excerpted from Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go!  © 2022 written & photographed by Michelle Tam & Henry Fong.  Reproduced by permission of Andrews McMeel Publishing. All rights reserved.

Tahini Made Easy

Uncategorized

Mighty Sesame Whole Seed Squeeze and Serve Tahini taps into the growing popularity of tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds. An important ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, sales of tahini are expected to grow by $ 279. 96 million between 2020-2024 according to Reportlinker.com.

In the past, tahini was used as a sauce for falafels, but now is used as an ingredient in cooking (see recipe below) as well as a condiment for raw veggies, toast, falafel, and burgers that can also be used in place of butter and mayonnaise.  Nutrient-rich with calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron as well as a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, like B1 and E, good fats, fiber, and protein, the Mighty Sesame Co. makes two types—their Organic Original Squeezable & Ready and now a new spicy Harissa flavor. Both are organic, vegan, gluten and dairy-free, kosher, and halal.

The Mighty Sesame Co.’s website, www.mightysesame.com, features recipes showing how to incorporate tahini into a wide selection of dishes from dips to entrees to desserts. Included are tahini strawberry banana smoothie, creamy hummus, tahini caramel cups, tahini walnut brownies, tahini coleslaw, grilled sweet potatoes with tahini basil vinaigrette, and fish tacos with tahini and sriracha. 

All Mighty Sesame tahini varieties are ready-to-use with just a shake and a squeeze, no stirring required. It is packed with protein and contains 260mg of calcium per serving. Organic, vegan, gluten- and dairy-free, kosher, and halal, it is a 100 percent guilt-free option for everyone. 

Recipes

No Bake Tahini Cookie Bars
Chef Gregg’s No-Bake Tahini Cookies

·      1 cup tahini
·      ¼ cup melted coconut oil
·      2 t. maple syrup
·      ½ t. vanilla extract
·      ¼ t. salt
·      ¼ cup semi sweet choc chips
·      ¼ cup peanut butter chips
·      Sea salt flakes to garnish
 
Line 8×4 pan with parchment paper.

In a bowl mix together tahini, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla and salt until smooth. Fold in chocolate and peanut butter chips.
 
Pour into pan and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
 
Then sprinkle more chips on top pressing them into the tahini cookies so they stick and stay.
 
Then freeze again for 1 hour. Once frozen sprinkle with flaked sea salt and serve.

 
Chef Gregg’s Sauteed Asian Tahini Chicken
 
·      ¼ cup Mighty Sesame Tahini
·      ¾ cup water
·      1 cube chicken bouillon
·      2 tablespoons soy sauce
·      1 tablespoon honey
·      1 clove garlic, minced
·      2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
·      2 teaspoons butter, or as needed
·      6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into cubes, or more to taste
·      1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish
 
Bring water and bouillon cube to a boil, until bouillon cube has dissolved.
Lower heat to low. Whisk Mighty Sesame tahini, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger into bouillon mixture until smooth. Keep sauce warm over low heat. This will allow the mixture to thicken naturally, so keep a watch on it.

In a skillet, heat butter over medium heat, once pan is hot cook and stir chicken until cooked, about 10 mins. You want to get a nice sear on the chicken at this time.

Pour tahini mixture into skillet and toss chicken to coat.

Plate, garnish with sesame seeds, and enjoy.
 

TruffleHunter: Small-Batch Truffle Products

Regional & Ethnic

The TruffleHunter is a United Kingdom based company that sources white and black truffles from both Europe and southern England and creates small-batch truffle products ranging from dairy and cheese to snacks. For the latter, think their vegan and gluten-free Black Truffle Popcorn, Black Truffle Crisps—thinly sliced English potatoes fried in small batches and dusted with Black Truffle Powder, and the more esoteric Black Truffle Seaweed Tempura.

Other products include truffle oils, popcorn, salts, mustard, honey and mayonnaise and have also introduced vegan friendly  Black Truffle BBQ Sauce and Black Truffle Hot Sauce. Both ae good for drizzling over vegetables, burgers, meats, and fries, use as a dipping sauce or to flavor other foods with the taste of truffles.

TruffleHunter products are available through Amazon now as well and interestingly are stocked in a temperature controlled warehouse so there’s no huge overseas shipping charges.

The following recipes courtesy of TruffleHunter.

Toasties with Brie and Mushrooms

  1.  For this decadent Toastie, preheat a skillet or heavy-duty griddle. In another small frying pan melt half your butter and add in your chopped mushrooms, rosemary and truffle sauce. Sauté for 5-10 minutes and then start building your Toastie layers.
  2. Layer some kraut on the bottom, followed by a generous handful of rocket. Next your truffle mushrooms and top with a big slice of ripe brie.
  3. Finally brush the remaining butter onto the outer sourdough and place into your hot skillet. Place another heavy pan or an iron grill press on top.
  4. Cook for 4-5 mins and turn at least once during cooking.

Bacon with Truffled Mac and Cheese


Blanch macaroni in boiling water until nearly cooked through (still has a slight crunch).

Grill bacon until golden then cut into lardons. (strips 1/2-inch thick and the full width of the bacon)

For the sauce. Remove skin, and half the onion put into milk with and warm the milk slowly, do not boil. 20 minutes should do.

For the roux.

Melt TruffleHunter Black Truffle Butter in pan big enough to hold at least 1 litre of sauce. Add flour and cook out for two or three minutes.

Finish the sauce.

Remove and discard the onion from the milk. Add the milk to the roux a little at a time all the while whisking.

Once all the milk is combined, add 6oz of the cheese, TruffleHunter Minced Black Truffle and TruffleHunter Black Truffle Mustard and cook out for 5 minutes on a very low heat.

For more information: www.truffle-hunter.com

The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook: Nisha Vora Chicago Book Signing

Plant Powered, Read It and Eat, Regional & Ethnic, Uncategorized, Vegetarian
Instant Pot Jamaican Jerk Jackfruit Tacos (recipe from the Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook)

In her debut cookbook The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook: Wholesome, Indulgent Plant-Based Recipes, Nisha Vora, the popular food blogger, photographer and content creator at Rainbow Plant Life, shows how to quickly put together delicious and nutritious dinners in an instant pot pressure cooker. A proponent of exciting, beautiful and tasty vegan cuisine, Vora, a graduate of Harvard Law School, left her law career behind and created Rainbow Plant Life, a vegan Instagram account, blog, and YouTube channel. Her colorful and easy-to-use cookbook features 90+ vegan and wholesome recipes made in the Instant Pot. Vora also includes:

  • Plenty of gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and refined-sugar-free recipes (80-85% of recipes are gluten-free) 
  • An in-depth guide to using your Instant Pot, including troubleshooting tips and cook time charts
  • My vegan pantry staples and essential cooking tips 
  • Full color design with my signature vibrant food photography
  • A little wit and humor peppered in between detailed, step-by-step recipes

Here are a few recipes from the book.

Instant Pot Vegan Pho (Vietnamese Noodle Soup)

Serves 4

Vegan, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

12 ounces dried rice noodles, dried rice sticks, or banh pho*

Broth

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other neutral, high-heat cooking oil

2 medium yellow onions, peeled and halved

4-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced

3 cardamom pods, lightly smashed with the back of a knife

3 whole star anise pods

4 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

1 Fuji apple, peeled and cut into large chunks

1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce

1 tablespoon coconut sugar

2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps (5 to 6 ounces)

8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (you can substitute water for up to 4 cups)

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

Toppings

1 (6- or 8-ounce) block baked tofu, cut into cubes (I used a five-spice flavor, which went really well with the other flavors)

3 scallions, sliced on the diagonal

1 cup Thai basil leaves, torn up

1 cup cilantro leaves, torn up

2 limes, cut into wedges

2 cups bean sprouts

Thinly sliced hot chile peppers or Sriracha

*You can find pho noodles in well-stocked grocery stores or any Asian market. They come in various thickness, ranging from 1⁄16 inch (narrow) to 1⁄4 inch (wide).

Place the dried rice noodles in a large bowl, cover with warm water, and soak until the noodles are pliable and opaque, 30 to 45 minutes. Drain the noodles and rinse them to remove excess starch. (Alternatively, cook the noodles according to the instructions on the package.)

Meanwhile, prepare the Broth: Select the Sauté́ setting on the Instant Pot and, after a few minutes, add the oil. Once the display reads “HOT,” add the onions and ginger slices, cut side down. Do not toss and allow to cook until charred and deeply browned, about 4 minutes.

Add the whole spices (cardamom pods through black peppercorns) and cook for 1 minute, stirring the mixture frequently. Add the apple, cilantro, tamari, coconut sugar, and shiitakes. Pour the vegetable broth and/or water on top and stir to combine.

Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook setting at high pressure and set the cook time to 15 minutes.

Once the 15-minute timer has completed and beeps, allow a natural pressure release for

10 minutes and then switch the Pressure Release knob from Sealing to Venting to release any remaining steam.

Open the pot and, using oven mitts, remove the inner pot. Carefully strain the broth into a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl (discard the solids). Season the broth with 1 teaspoon salt, stir, and taste. Add more salt as needed.

Place the cooked rice noodles in individual bowls. Pour over the strained broth and add the baked tofu cubes. Top the pho with the scallions, basil, cilantro, lime wedges, bean sprouts, and chiles or Sriracha.

Chinese Takeout-Style Tofu and Broccoli

Marinated Tofu

1 (14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu

3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce

2 teaspoons Sriracha or similar chili-garlic sauce

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons rice vinegar (also known as rice wine vinegar)

Ginger-Chili Sauce

1⁄4 cup reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce

1⁄4 cup agave nectar or coconut nectar (or maple syrup, but that will have a more robust, less neutral flavor)

2 tablespoons water

1 1⁄2 tablespoons Sriracha or similar chili-garlic sauce

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 1⁄2-inch piece fresh ginger, grated or finely minced

For Finishing:

1 1⁄2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or other neutral, high-heat cooking oil

2 medium heads broccoli, cut into small florets (about 4 cups)

2 tablespoons cornstarch

White rice or brown rice (for serving)

Marinate the tofu: Drain the tofu and cut into 4 slabs. Place the tofu on a cutting board lined with paper towels. Place more paper towels on top of the tofu and weight them down with a few heavy cookbooks or a heavy skillet filled with a few cans of beans. Let sit for at least 30 minutes or ideally 1 hour, changing the paper towels in between to drain all the moisture. Cut the tofu into 3⁄4-inch cubes.

Place the tofu in a gallon-size zip-top bag and add the tamari, Sriracha, sesame oil, and vinegar. Toss to combine and let the tofu rest in the marinade for 5 minutes, massaging occasionally.

Meanwhile, make the ginger-chili sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the tamari, agave nectar, water, the Sriracha, sesame oil, vinegar, and ginger until well combined.

Finish the dish: Select the Sauté́ setting on the Instant Pot and let the pot heat up for a few minutes before adding the grapeseed oil. Once the display reads “HOT,” use a slotted spoon or fork to carefully transfer the marinated tofu to the pot. Cook the tofu for 1 1⁄2 minutes undisturbed. Use a spatula to flip and cook the tofu until it starts to brown on all sides, 3 to

 4 minutes total. Add the ginger-chili sauce and stir to combine. Select the Cancel setting.

Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook setting at high pressure and set the cook time to 3 minutes.

Once the 3-minute timer has completed and beeps, perform a quick pressure release by carefully switching the Pressure Release knob from Sealing to Venting.

Open the pot. Add the broccoli florets to the tofu and stir with the sauce to combine. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook setting to low pressure and set the cook time to 1 minute. Once the 1-minute timer has completed and beeps, carefully perform another quick pressure release.

In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch with 1⁄4 cup water, whisking until combined without any lumps. Select the Sauté́ setting and press the Sauté́ button again until you reach Less heat. Add the cornstarch slurry to the Instant Pot and gently stir to combine. Cook, stirring gently, until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the tofu and broccoli over rice.

Ifyougo:

What: Nisha Vora A Talk & Demo with Nisha Vora

When: Sunday, July 21 at 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: Read It and Eat, 2142 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL

Cost: 1 Ticket + 1 Book $44.26; 2 Tickets + 1 Book $64.26; Book Only

$24.26

FYI: (773) 661-6158; readitandeatstore.com

#TheVeganInstantPotCookbook