Post in partnership with Muir Glen Organic. See below for more details.
When it's snowing outside and you've had a long day, you want dinner to be more than just a hot meal. Sadly, one of the misnomers of vegetarian cooking is that it's hard to do comfort food. For example, critics claim vegetarian cooking lacks some oomph. But I disagree. The truth is, in fact, there are plenty of great ways to make a big pot of vegetarian comfort. For one thing, this spicy tomato sauce at the top of my list. That's because it's perfect to smother potatoes and protein-rich navy beans. Because of meals like this, I keep a can of Muir Glen organic crushed tomatoes on hand at all times. Best of all? It's great with any leftover grains you might have.
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This hearty, spicy vegetarian main is a wonderful cross between stew and a curry. Use this on top of cooked grains or cooked potatoes.
Tips & Tricks: The potatoes will cook slowly once the tomato is added. Having trouble cooking the potatoes beforehand? Add 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth before adding the garlic. Cover and steam the potatoes until tender.
Look for Parmesan that contains vegetarian or microbial rennet. Most parmesan isn't vegetarian friendly but there are options out there!
Stock up: get the pantry ingredients you will need: crushed tomatoes, navy beans, brown rice
Nutrition: See the information.
One of the best things about one-pot meals is that they are easy to adapt. In fact, in this recipe, the spicy tomato sauce is key to this dish. Additionally, it makes substituting vegetables and legumes easy. A few of my favorite variation ideas include:
Root Vegetables: Wanting something besides potatoes? Root vegetables would work well. For example, try parsnips, turnips, or rutabagas.
Legumes: Chickpeas or lentils would work well. Cook any legumes you are using before adding them to the tomato mixture.
Greens: Stir in spinach, chard, kale or collards. Then, let them wilt in the tomato mixture.
There are a few pantry items that I always have on hand. In particular, I always stock chickpeas, brown rice, and Muir Glen organic crushed tomatoes. Specifically, crushed tomatoes are perfect in sauces, stews, and soups. In fact, I recently had a chance to visit a Muir Glen tomato farm. As a result of the trip, I learned the best part of these crushed tomatoes. They start as delicious, fresh tomatoes. Then, the fire-roasting gives them a perfect smokey flavor!
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Sweet Potato Curry
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Yum! Yum. This looks so good. The flavors sound amazing to me. Can't wait to try it.
Just tried this tonight for family tea and really enjoyed. Even my hubby scraped out his bowl and he is a big meat eater. Substituted navy beans for flageolet beans but otherwise followed recipe.
★★★★★
I just tried this recipe, and my family fell in love with it! Can't wait to cook it for the kids again soon 🙂
I think this dish might be my spirit animal food!! Beans, tomatoes, spicy, and garlic all together!!! Cannot wait!
I made this for me and the boyfriend last night - so simple and satisfying! I swapped out the yukons for sweet potatoes which was darn delicious.
This looks so good, I'll eat anything that has smoked paprika in it. Can't wait to make this.
PURE COMFORT. I followed the end notes & used chickpeas instead of beans, & added a few cups of spinach. Added about 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast at the end as a vegan alternative to parm, so divine!
Any recommendations on readily available brands that make vegetarian-safe parm?
Sartori is a good one. Usually my local co-op has pre-wrapped wedges marked as 'vegetarian parm' so if you have a whole foods or co-op, check there as well.
Hi just wondering what you would substitute for the white wine?
Nothing- just leave it out!
this recipe is excellent! I found while searching for a tomato based sauce to put w/baked spaghetti squash. Subbed lentils & split mung daal i/o navy beans, and added green peas. Spices were perfect; it was a yummy creamy texture/just right for a healthy comfort food dinner. Great w/the spaghetti squash.....look forward to trying more recipes on your site. thanks!