Slow cooking mushrooms in ginger and garlic broth gives this vegan hot and sour soup a deep and delicious flavor. Perfect crock pot meal!
My poor slow cooker has spent most of its life gathering dust on a shelf, but lately it is getting a workout thanks to Kathy Hester’s new book, The Vegan Slow Cooker. With easy recipes, a clean layout, and lovely photos, it’s enticed even a last-minute cook like me to think ahead a little and get my crock pot going in the morning so that when dinnertime comes the meal is already done. Fortunately, Kathy’s publisher sent me two copies of her book, so I have one to share with a lucky reader–maybe you! [Update: A winner has been drawn. Thank you to all who entered. See the end of the post for details.]
Many of the recipes do use seitan and soy, but Kathy offers substitutes and includes recipes for making your own seitan (“Chick’n” and “Beefy”) as well as a gluten-free apple sage sausage, homemade ketchup, and low-sodium “chickeny” bouillon. Soy-free and gluten-free recipes are marked with symbols, and asterisks indicate substitutes for soy and gluten.
Though many of the recipes contain a little olive oil or vegan margarine, there are several recipes that are fat-free as written, including Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto, Caribbean Mango Black Beans, and Chile-Chocolate Black Bean Brownies (includes walnuts). Most of the oil that is used is easily removed by sauteing with water or broth, though the recipes that include vegan cheese may be a little harder to adapt for low-fat dieters.
You can get a taste of Kathy’s recipes for yourself at her blog, Healthy Slow Cooking. She has also contributed several to the main Fatfree Vegan Recipes site, where they’ve become some of the most popular recipes. You can see them all on this page.
I had a hard time deciding which recipe to test from the book–both the Pumpkin Lasagna and the Caribbean Mango Black Beans had me intrigued–but the decision was taken out of my hands when my husband saw the Hot and Sour Soup recipe. It’s a soup he’s been craving ever since he became vegetarian, and I just haven’t found a recipe he really likes.
Kathy’s version, however, was a huge success. Though it wasn’t exactly what he remembered, it was so flavorful due to the long-cooking of the mushrooms in garlic and ginger-flavored broth–we both loved it.
Though the recipe says that it makes 4 servings, they are very big servings, and since we were eating it as part of a meal that included stir-fried vegetables and rice, we actually enjoyed leftovers for two more meals. I didn’t think the 1 teaspoon of chile sauce (I used Sambal Oelek) would be very spicy, but it turned out too hot for E, so spicy-haters beware and use a little less. With the chile sauce on the side, this soup will be a regular in our house.
Kathy's Slow-Cooker Hot and Sour Soup
Ingredients
- 1 10-ounce package sliced mushrooms (280g)
- 8 fresh shiitake mushrooms , stems removed and caps sliced
- 1 8-ounce can bamboo shoots, drained and jullienned (225g)
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 15-ounce package firm or silken tofu, cubed (420g)
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, divided (16g)
- 4 cups water (940ml)
- 2 tablespoons vegan chicken-flavored bouillon (16g)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari, for gluten-free) (30ml)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil , plus extra for drizzling (Susan's note: I didn't need the extra)
- 1 teaspoon chili paste
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (30ml)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen peas (225g)
Instructions
- The Night Before: Store the cut-up mushrooms, bamboo shoots, garlic, and tofu in an airtight container in the fridge. Store the prepared ginger in another airtight container in the fridge.
- In the Morning: Combine the mushrooms, bamboo, shoots, garlic, tofu, 1 tablespoon (8g) of the ginger, water, bouillon, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, and vinegar in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours.
- A few minutes before serving, add the peas and the remaining 1 tablespoon (8g) ginger and stir to combine. Taste the broth and add more vinegar or chili if needed. Drizzle a few drops of sesame oil on top of each serving. If you like it milder and your friends like it hot, serve the chili paste on the side.
- Preparation time: 15 minute(s) | Cooking time: 6 to 8 hour(s)
- Number of servings (yield): 4
Notes
Nutritional info is approximate.
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Pamela Hobbs
I’d love to win a copy of the “Vegan Slow Cooker.” I started full time grad school this fall and we have not had access to a refrigerator or microwave. I’ve been spending $$$ eating out. I’ve discovered a thermos-style bento box for bringing my meals, so I can start bringing my own food…but I have almost no time to cook. Vegan crookpot cooking would be the perfect solution!
Marsha
Oohh. Looks great.
Christina
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. I am 6 months pregnant (Due Dec 24th) and this would be the perfect way to make sure we are still eating healthy meals after the baby arrives, when time in the kitchen will decrease significantly. Thanks so much!
Rebecca Peters
The hot and sour soup looks so good! I’ll have to try it. I would love a copy of the Vegan Slow Cooker book because I love to use my crock pot, and it’s really hard to find recipes for it that are either vegan or low-fat/fat-free. Just one that didn’t call for a can of cream of chicken soup, or some really high sodium soup/dip mix, would be an improvement! Thanks for the opportunity!
Tammy
I would love a copy of her book because most of my former fav slow cooker recipes involve meat (before I made the switch). Would love to have new vegan recipes to try! Thanks for the chance and for your great blog, Susan!
katehopeeden
I’d love a copy! Winter is coming up! No time like winter for breaking out the slow cooker!
Shana kurz
After starting a vegan diet, I’ve missed the convenience of my slow cooker. Cooking for my family of 6, it’s great to get a head start in dinner and I miss the delish recipes I could use back when I threw meat in there. This cookbook would inspire me with new recipes, and help me stay ahead of my 4 hungry boys and husband.
Heather Heij
Hello! I’d love a copy of the book because I am trying to incorporate more unprocessed, vegan meals into my week, and I’m so busy that slow cooker recipes would be perfect!
Bridget Meltesen
i would love a copy of the book because i am trying to show my family (particularly my meat and potatoes eating husband!) that vegan food does not have to be flavourless or boring but, rather, is tasty and healthy!
Brenda Hagel
I have never had good luck with slow cooking, my attempts have been rather blah. Would love to be successful at it, what a joy it would be to walk in the house in the afternoon with a delicious meal waiting and yummy smells wafting through the kitchen!
Michelle Hanlon
I would love to win your Vegan Slow Cooker book. I have been a vegan for four weeks and the only recipes I have so far are from the Reverse and Prevent Heart Disease and Engine 2 books.
Morgan Haley
I would love to win this book. I absolutely love slow cooked meals but have not used my slow cooker in over two years since becoming vegan. I think I should dust it off and get cooking!
Anke
I’d love to win a copy of the book because I was just given a slow cooker but have never used or eaten a meal made in one so some inspiration would be helpful.
mizzay06
The only thing my slow-cooker has had in its ceramic belly is the cheese sauce for nachos (I teach high school and have advised several clubs and classes, and selling nachos is a cheap, easy way to fundraise). It hungers for something more, something different. And I, as a high school teacher, love the idea of coming home (after a 10-hour day at school and another 2-3 hours of grading essays at home) and being greeted at the door by the aroma of a hot, delicious, homemade meal ready to eat.
Thank you. 🙂
Ludy
Samantha
I would LOVE some slow cooker recipe ideas and would love to win this cookbook! I must survive thru LONG, FRIGID WI winters and delicious warm soups and stews would really hit the spot – please select me 😉
Stacey
I would love to win the cookbook due to the simple fact that I miss my slow cooker. Ever since becoming a vegetarian almost 2 years ago my slow cooker too has been collecting dust:( Please oh please let me start using one of my favorite cooking appliances again!
stac
Yummy! What could I use instead of bamboo?
Michele
My favorite slow-cooker food is hearty stew! Mmmm!! I’d absolutely LOVE a copy of the book. Why? Because since becoming a full-fledged vegan eater over 15 months ago, I’ve been longing to use my slow-cooker more often. I’m a mother of two amazing boys. They are both very active. My oldest is a joiner and loves sports, boys scouts, etc. My youngest is disabled and requires tons of therapies and such. Therefore, we’re full-time chauffeurs and I miss being able to count on my convenient slow-cooker for healthy, hearty meals! I’m copying the sweet and sour soup recipe right now. SOUNDS WONDERFUL! 🙂
Carol
Recipes like this make me want to get a slow cooker. Good to know that there is a vegan slow cooker cookbook out there… it seems most slow cooker recipes I come across are for meat-eaters! Thanks for sharing.
Andi Lockhart
I’d love a great vegan slow cooker cookbook! We’ve loved everything I’ve made from your recipes, and my current slow cooker cookbook only had one truly tasty recipe in it. With two kids and a schedule full of violin lessons, ballet, Budo, social skills classes and music ensembles – I’d love to have more slow cooker options!!!!!! Thanks for making this book!
alua
This looks so good…. it doesn’t help that I have been lazy about cooking the past few days and photos like these ones make me wish someone could make this FOR me! Serious tofu and shiitake cravings now…
Really like the layout of the book too (from what I can see from that picture). I will add it to my amazon wish list (as well as the slow cooker, since I don’t actually have one).
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers
Looks great! You had me at “slow cooker”
GetSkinnyGoVegan
I would like it so I can continue my slow cooker tradition!!!! The Indian Slow Cooker devirginized me to the crock pot and I am READY for more!!!!!
paula
This looks like a delicious recipe. Thank you.
donna
Made this for dinner today. It was really good. Next time, I might add a bit more veg though, perhaps a diced carrot or two. THANKS for sharing.
Mel J
This was a delicious (and easy!) recipe. It’s going to be a favorite this winter, for sure. I served this with some vegetarian egg rolls, and had a great meal with no fuss. I had some ume plum vinegar that I used instead of the vinegar in the recipe and it worked just fine. The teaspoon of sambal oolek gives it just the right note of spiciness, and I usually like things that are really spicy! Thanks for sharing the recipe, and I will be looking for this cookbook at my local library!
Camille
Will definitely try this recipe but that is ALOT of sodium. You could cut alot of that sodium out by using a vegetable broth. Sure it wouldn’t taste exactly the same but Thats over 50% of your daily allotted sodium intake in one soup.
Id probably omit the peas too but thats just personal preference. Cant wait to try this. LOVE hot and sour soup. Im making the conversion to vegan starting next week but have tries hot and sour soup before, so cant wait to try this.
Bali Cooking class
nice receipt,,, i will try to cook for my family..
happy cooking
ms_min
I made a version of this today but not in the slow-cooker. It was delicious even so…I’m not sure I see the real point of slow-cooking it as it tastes fine with about 15 minutes of cooking anyway (especially if you pre-soak the dried mushrooms in boiling water). I used salt-free vegan bouillon and freshly shelled peas. I also added white pepper–I think this gives it a more authentic hot and sour soup flavor…at least the hot and sour soup I am used to eating 🙂
Joan
While most of your receipes look yummy, they also seem to need many ingreidents someone with a lower income would not be able to have on hand or buy.
Much talk about the poor being obese is true yet if you were to look at their income vs foods needed to be healthy and eat so, they would never be able to do it, I know.
My sister works for minimum wages and even though she works 60 hrs a week, she still must resort to processed foods to just eat since many bills need paying.
I am retiired and on limited income now so the same for me.
If you could come up with a cookbook geared for people as us, yyou could sell!
We see cookbooks for meals we can afford where only 3 or 4 basic ingredients are needed and while the outcome of the meail is easy, cheap and filling….its talking a toll on ones health, causing weight gain for most are made with rice, pasta etc and calories are high a serving.
Just a thought!
Brenda
Love this cookbook!!! 🙂
allen stinnett
I found your website through a search engine and started reading.i like it and I want to be considered for the free book.I cant afford to buy one,I had a triple bypass in 2009 and have convinced myself to go Vegan for the health benefits alone.
Rachel
This looks amazing! The only thing is that I REALLY dislike peas and mushrooms. Is there anything that I can substitute for those such as edamame?
Susan Voisin
Edamame would be a good substitute for the peas. You could just leave out the mushrooms.
Deena
I was going to copy this recipe till I saw that it’s from the Vegan Slow Cooker cookbook. I have this cookbook! I love it! I have made several recipes from it and they all turned out excellent. Good choice!
kim
im a little wary of slow cookers as i hear the longer you have heat on food the more nutrients are diminished..would this work in a pressure cooker ?
Rebecca
Just wanted to let you know that I made this for my Mom’s Christmas Eve dinner. Both omnis and veggies LOVED it!! I doubled it and took leftovers to my Dad’s the next day. This is pretty much what my plant-strong brother ate, since he was feeling a little sluggish from some richer foods. He said it saved the day, and he wanted the recipe to make himself.
It smelled amazing cooking all day!! I left out the chili paste entirely, and let folks put in what they wanted–worked out well that way.
Nadja
I used the recipe as an inspiration for my own hot and sour soup. As stock I used the soaking liquid for the shiitake mushrooms I added to the soup. Yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Nadja (from Austria)
Jane Valley
What a great book idea! Love my slow cooker and eating smarter is just what I need! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Anne
I feel a little silly asking this but really want to make this soup and have seen this ingredient listed other places as well. What do you mean by “chili paste”? If you buy it already made, what section of the store is it in? Thanks!
Susan Voisin
Anne, chili paste is usually available where the Asian ingredients are. It’s a blend of chopped up hot red chilies, seeds and all. If you can’t find it, you could use red pepper flakes or some other hot sauce.
Dani
Ooh, that looks fantastic! I’d love a copy of the book, as my slow cooker has been mostly neglected since I became vegan…I could use some fresh ideas to bust it out again!
Lisa
Silly question maybe… but how much water is added? I can’t seem to figure it out from these instructions. (Novice cook here!) Thanks. 🙂
Susan Voisin
Lisa, it’s 4 cups of water. It’s a little hard to spot in the ingredients list, about half-way down.
clea
The slow cooker is not my favorite since I am gone for 11 hours a day and I don’t like the cooker on that long. I do love my pressure cooker. Any ideas of how long in the PC and if it would have the same effect on the broth?
Helen
I made this soup yesterday and it turned out great. I used sriracha instead of chili paste since that’s what I had on hand. I also added some cooked brown rice noodles after the soup was done to make it a bit more filling. Delicious, thank you!
carts
me parece genial yo también soy un amante de la sopa, de hecho en mi país somos uno de los países mas soperos, donde la cazuela, la cabornada o los mariscos en cocimiento son nuestra dieta diaria… saludos desde Chile
deepika singh
Just made this for dinner and it was fantastic. I’m not much of a soup eater, but with all of these clean and wholesome ingredients, I will definitely make this again. It is popping with flavor and I feel great about eating it
Tara
I just wanted to share this recipe with you, the slow cooker hot and sour was great, but you said your husband misses hot and sour soup and this recipe http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/veg-hot-and-sour-soup-recipe/ is spot on what I remember getting from restaurants and it’s vegan!
When I make it myself I omit the oil and the optional coriander leaves. Sriracha seems to be the best heat in my opinion. It takes about 15 minutes start to finish now that I’ve made it a few times and it reheats great.
Susan Voisin
Thanks for the suggestion! I will give it a look.