Indulge in the comforting goodness of our delectable vegan polenta with ragu, a hearty and flavorful dish that caters to both vegan and meat-loving palates. This culinary masterpiece combines the creamy texture of polenta with a rich and savory ragu made from a medley of vegetables, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Accompanying this main course are three additional recipes that elevate the dining experience. A refreshing tomato salad adds a burst of vibrant flavors, while garlic knots provide a delightful savory companion. And to satisfy your sweet cravings, a classic Italian almond cake offers the perfect finishing touch to this exquisite vegan feast. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you feeling satisfied and fulfilled.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
VEGAN POLENTA WITH RAGU
Benvenuto, meatless Monday! This is a vegan adaptation of traditional Italian creamy polenta and thick ragu full of vegetable proteins. Bake leftover polenta slices and top with any leftover ragu for bite-sized appetizers.
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 1h55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Combine boiling water and lentils in a bowl and set aside for 1 hour. Combine texturized vegetable protein and broth in a separate bowl and set aside until liquid is absorbed.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a stew pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and hot pepper. Cook and stir until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add drained lentils and undrained texturized vegetable protein. Stir and add oregano and bay leaf. Add red wine and continue stirring, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes. Stir and simmer ragu until thickened and lentils are soft, 5 to 10 minutes; add a bit more water if needed.
- Bring vegetable broth, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low and sprinkle polenta into the water, stirring constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Add vegan butter, stirring constantly.
- Distribute polenta evenly among 4 pasta bowls. Remove bay leaf from ragu and discard. Top each bowl with equal amounts of ragu. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon vegan white cheese over each bowl and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 714.6 calories, Carbohydrate 77.3 g, Cholesterol 3.3 mg, Fat 25.1 g, Fiber 23 g, Protein 44.1 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 1981.1 mg, Sugar 10.9 g
VEGAN POLENTA
Creamy polenta without any animal products. Serve this for a savory accompaniment to your meals. Polenta goes very well with tomato-based dishes, beans, and sauteed mushrooms.
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Polenta Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Stir together vegetable broth, 1/2 cup water, oat milk, and salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and sprinkle in polenta, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until polenta thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to low and cook, stirring often, for about 10 minutes. Add vegan cheese and butter. Stir until smooth. Add remaining water, if necessary, to keep consistency velvety and smooth. Pour polenta onto an oiled plate and let stand a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.2 calories, Carbohydrate 35.5 g, Cholesterol 3.3 mg, Fat 13.4 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 6.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 1126.7 mg, Sugar 3 g
CREAMY VEGAN POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND KALE
While it may be difficult to imagine many classic Italian dishes without a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, polenta's creamy nature means it's easy to make without butter or cheese. Nutritional yeast, when used in moderation, mimics the nutty flavor of Parmesan, but use too much, and it can overpower. Just a tablespoon or two does the trick here, along with a few tablespoons of vegan butter. (You can use olive oil, but vegan butter works best to achieve the richness of traditional polenta.) The red wine braised mushrooms and kale take the place of meat, but the polenta would be equally delicious served with simply sautéed greens or roasted root vegetables. Leftover polenta can be reheated over medium-low with a splash of broth or water.
Provided by Lidey Heuck
Categories dinner, vegetables, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make the polenta: Bring 6 cups vegetable broth and 1 teaspoon salt to boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the polenta, then turn the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the polenta has thickened to your liking, 10 to 15 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the butter and nutritional yeast. Season to taste with salt and black pepper; cover and set aside.
- Prepare the mushrooms: While the polenta simmers, heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 4 minutes. Raise the heat to medium-high, and add the mushrooms and rosemary to the skillet. Cook, tossing occasionally and adding a splash of olive oil if the pan looks dry, until the mushrooms have released their water and are tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. (Be careful not to let the garlic burn.) Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring to incorporate, until it turns a rusty brown color and begins to caramelize on the bottom of the pan.
- Add the red wine and cook, stirring and scraping the brown bits from the pan, until the liquid is reduced by about half.
- Add the 1 cup vegetable broth, and bring to a simmer. Begin adding handfuls of kale, cooking and stirring until the kale wilts. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid in the pan reduces and thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Off the heat, stir in the vinegar and add salt and pepper to taste. Reheat the polenta over medium-low, adding a splash of broth to loosen it if necessary. Serve the polenta and braised mushrooms and kale in shallow bowls, sprinkled with parsley.
Tips:
- To make the polenta creamy and smooth, use a whisk to stir it constantly while adding the hot liquid. This will prevent lumps from forming.
- If you don't have vegetable broth, you can use water instead. However, the broth will add more flavor to the polenta.
- To make the ragu more flavorful, use a variety of vegetables. For example, you could add carrots, celery, onions, and mushrooms.
- If you don't have red wine, you can use white wine or even water. However, the red wine will add a richer flavor to the ragu.
- To make the polenta and ragu ahead of time, cook them separately and then reheat them when you're ready to serve.
Conclusion:
This vegan polenta with ragu is a hearty and delicious meal that is perfect for a winter night. The polenta is creamy and smooth, while the ragu is rich and flavorful. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table, whether they are vegan or not. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give this vegan polenta with ragu a try.
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