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.]
When you open The Vegan Slow Cooker, the first thing you’ll notice is the layout: each recipe has its own page (no turning back and forth between ingredients and instructions) with ingredients on the left and instructions on the right. Kathy breaks the instructions down into two parts, what to do the night before and what to do in the morning, so that the recipes come together quickly in the morning when you’re likely to have less time. And if you’re a visual person, you’ll be happy to know that there are large, professionally shot photos of about 40 of the 150 recipes. Most recipes are easy and call for ingredients that are not hard to find in supermarkets.
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.
Please pin and share!
Paul
October 5, 2011 at 2:29 amDon’t have a recipe, and my slow cooker has been gathering dust for four years now, since I gave meat the shove. I will give something a go in it soon. As to too hot chilli or curry, a chemistry lesson, the Hot (chili), is alkaline and to kill it or cool it is to add acid. This comes as lemon juice. Half a teaspoon stirred through a hot hot chilli will tame it and then in quarter teaspoon increments if not.
Anne
October 5, 2011 at 2:31 amI would really love to have a copy of this book, been trying to look for an easy way to prepare vegan dishes. And finding good vegan recipes for a slow cooker has been a challenge for me.
Jess Aitch
October 5, 2011 at 5:13 amIm a vegan rookie. I’ve made it to Day five. I totally want Kathys book, I recently got a slow cooker and had been making alot of stews and bits…although my bind kinda blanks when trying to think of great vegan slow cooking recipes beyond basic vegie soup. Also new to the fatfree site… I have been browsing for the last couple of hours… so exciting. You will be seeing me around more!
Cindy Smoker
October 5, 2011 at 6:17 amLove making sweet potato/black bean chili in the crockpot. Healthy and very delicious. Like to try 1-2 new recipes a week, so would love a copy of this new cookbook. Working full-time, a crockpot really comes in handy. Thanks for all the fabulous recipes you offer, Susan.
Katie B
October 5, 2011 at 6:50 amI would love to have the cookbook to have a stockpile of healthy vegan recipes for the slow-cooker … which mostly gathers dust in this house too ..
Kim
October 5, 2011 at 6:56 amI love baked beans in the crockpot. My favorite recipe substitutes a can of beer for some of the water – yum!
Laura Ades
October 5, 2011 at 7:19 amThis book is on my birthday wish list!
Marla Kochelek
October 5, 2011 at 7:41 amI would love a copy of Kathy’s book, it sounds wonderful. I have so much to learn about cooking vegan in my slow cooker, the only time I use it since I went Vegan is for beans. I love how the slow cooker fills the house with great smells and frees up my time.
Thanks Susan, you do such a great job!!
Meg
October 5, 2011 at 7:49 amI want a copy of this amazing cookbook because I am a vegan lady living in Northern Ontario Canada. Vegan options are limited here so I must make everything I eat from scratch. A one pot meal that I can let simmer during the day would be the most wonderful gift for me and my family!
Much thanks,
M
Terri
October 5, 2011 at 7:52 amI have been trying to transition my family into a vegan lifestyle. I often find that with the long hours I work I get home exhausted and do not feel like following a long complicated recipe and we end up eating something unhealthy. I believe adding slow cooker recipes to our menu would allow me to free up some time in the evenings to enjoy a home cooked meal while my family reaps the benefits of healthy eating.
jamie
October 5, 2011 at 8:31 amI am new to eating a vegetarian diet, I am doing it both for the health benefits and positive impact that it has on our environment. I could use some help with recipes. I like the idea of using the slow cooker and having a meal waiting for my family when we get home in the afternoon.
sharon palazzolo
October 5, 2011 at 8:32 amSince my husband decided recently that he likes Asian food I have been adding as many fat free Asian dishes to our diet as possible. This one looks really great for the snowy winter months ahead!
Gale Welden
October 5, 2011 at 9:01 amThis is a shameless (almost) request for the free cookbook. I have no money for anything like this, and I so need the inspiration for slow-cooking. I am trying to kick diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, as well as entice my husband and teenage daughter to a better lifestyle. This book would mean a lot to me.
Teresa O'Connor
October 5, 2011 at 9:13 amHey this recipe is next for me to try. I love making split pea and carrot soup in the slow cooker but I could sure use some new ideas on how to get more use out of mine. Hope I win!!
Amelia
October 5, 2011 at 9:20 amWow, this looks delicious!
I would love a copy of this cookbook because a busy life doesn’t always leave as much time for cooking as I’d like. I’m a full time student working two jobs, and although I absolutely LOVE cooking, having a meal ready on those later days when I come back would be great. Not to mention the recipes themselves have me drooling. 🙂
Erin
October 5, 2011 at 9:28 amI’ve been looking for a good vegan slow cooker book for a long time; it’s been in hiding pretty much since we stopped cooking meat in the home and I miss the easiness of it. I would LOVE a copy of her book!
Julia OConnor
October 5, 2011 at 9:34 amOooh…Kathy’s book is the answer to my prayers! My husband and I have adopted a vegan lifestyle and thanks to our change in eating habits, my husband no longer has to take any cholesterol medicine! I swear eating vegan is truly our personal “fountain of youth”. The problem is, we both work full time so preparing something and letting it cook while we’re at work is the perfect solution to maintaining our healthy eating habits.
Thank you, Susan for getting the word out about Kathy’s answer to us working stiffs who are time challenged!
Laura Beizer
October 5, 2011 at 9:59 amHi. I have a current favorite vegan crockpot recipe…African Peanut Soup. I serve it over a quinoa with middle eastern spices, roasted almonds, and dried cranberries and it is wonderful! But I don’t have many vegan crockpot recipes, so I’d love a copy of Kathy Hester’s new book to fill in some more good recipes of this sort! Thanks for this opportunity and your blog! Laura
Sarah
October 5, 2011 at 10:09 amI would love to add a vegan cookbook (i have vegtarian ones) to my collecion and I really like making veggie chili in my crock pot. The description of the book and the recipe titles sound exciting. Would like a recipe to make my own vegan “chikin” boullion.
Holly N
October 5, 2011 at 10:47 amI would love this cookbook. With family, school & activities in full swing, my slow cooker has been calling my name. Now I just need the tools to use it without cooking the same 3 meals 😉
Sarah C
October 5, 2011 at 10:51 amI would love to have a copy of this book, as I’m fairly new to the slowcooker, and the vegetarian recipes I’ve found in other books have not done much to impress me. I sure do like the look of this one! =)
Stephen E Schafer
October 5, 2011 at 10:54 amI would love to find good fatfree vegan soup recipes. If Susan says this is a good cookbook, then it is a good cookbook.
neca
October 5, 2011 at 11:21 amI love my slow cooker and use it regularly. It’s hard to pick one recipe, but I have a pasta e fagioli recipe that makes a HUGE amount of soup – plenty for dinner and to freeze for another dinner (my favorite way to cook during the week!).
Jenny
October 5, 2011 at 12:51 pmI’m off to buy the ingredients for this right now. I can’t wait to come home to soup now that we’re having real fall weather where I live.
I’d love to win the book. As a vegan soup-lover with an under-used slow cooker, I’m sure I could get inspired by it!
Sharon Brannan
October 5, 2011 at 1:45 pmI love slow cookers! And I’m a vegan following the Caldwell Esselstyn plan.
Vegan Wheekers
October 5, 2011 at 1:47 pmI don’t know much about slow cooking but I like the thought of having dinner ready when I get home from work! Thanks for the giveaway.
Norma
October 5, 2011 at 2:57 pmI asked for a crockpot for Christmas and it’s been in the box ever since. I am now beyond inspired to USE it : ) Please send me the book!
Suganya
October 5, 2011 at 3:31 pmI’d love to gift the book to my sister, who has an unused slow cooker.
Caroline
October 5, 2011 at 4:04 pmHi Susan,
I love soup! I’d like a copy of the book so that I can make tasty soups for me and my vegetarian boyfriend to enjoy this winter!
I have not yet mastered the art of vegetarian/vegan soup and could use some help!
Thanks!
Julia
October 5, 2011 at 4:06 pmLooks so yummy! I’m excited to try it…I got a slow cooker last Christmas, and so far all it’s made is seitan pot roast…which is delicious, but only happens every few months. I’d ADORE this book…I’ve been greedily eyeing it since it came out, but I’m applying for grad schools right now and don’t have the money for anything except food and rent. Slow cooking would save time, energy, money, and stress…which I need to write those dreaded essays! 🙂
And my favorite slow-cooker recipe is molasses-hickory “baked” beans…we have them every holiday season and they’re amazing.
allularpunk
October 5, 2011 at 4:27 pmOh! I have really been wanting this book! I need to use my slow cooker a lot more, and I think this would get me to do it. The hot and sour soup sounds so delicious!
Kim P
October 5, 2011 at 4:44 pmOooohhhhh!!!! Looks nummy. My slow cooker is also gathering dust. I think the very last thing I made with it was mulled cider a couple years ago! 🙂 Would love a chance to get the book and get out the crock pot!
Cassandra
October 5, 2011 at 5:46 pmmmmmm… this soup looks really good. We’re adding it to our list of things to try when the weather cools down enough. 🙂
My favorite slow cooker recipe is one I tried last year for apple butter. When I was a kid, my uncle made apple butter every Christmas for family members. Unfortunately, it’s been a long time since he’s done so and I was happy to find an easy way to make my own!
Karen
October 5, 2011 at 7:30 pmI’d love to have a copy of The Vegan Slow Cooker. Recipes that are both healthy and convenient are the best kind for busy workdays.
enjoy your blog.
Lisa Dillman
October 5, 2011 at 7:48 pmMe, me, me!!!!
I love your blog and have made many of the recipes. I also love my crockpot but use it so rarely, and when I look up recipes online or in cookbooks at the library, they always seem to be:
Take a can of cream of chicken soup
Add a can of tomatoes
Add a can of olives
Add a pound of chicken breasts
Etc
I have never understood why there are not more “from scratch” slow cooker recipes and this sounds perfect!
xLisa
Ps love your blog and commentaries!
kira
October 5, 2011 at 9:15 pmthis looks so good! planning on getting myself a slow cooker (slowly building up my kitchen, as i have recently discovered my love of cooking!), and this book would be a great help for a newbie!!
Carol
October 5, 2011 at 9:26 pmThere’s a crisis in our home! My husband has cooked for 30 years (after I cooked for 20) and feels so upset that I’ve switched to fatfree vegan meals. I hope to convert him with delicious meals cooked the new way. “The Vegan Slow Cooker” will be a huge help to me!
P.S. Love your website!
Alex
October 5, 2011 at 10:10 pmThis book sounds wonderful! I’m a grad student who is just starting to explore the glory of the crockpot. I’m also making the transition from vegetarian to vegan and always looking for recipes to help.
eesh
October 5, 2011 at 10:53 pmI used to be vegan. But I fell off the wagon. I recently got 2 slow cookers and have been wanting to get back on that wagon. I feel like this is kismet because I just had a vegan supper tonight and realized how much I’ve missed it. I would really like to win this book to help give me a jump start and take me back to where I know I belong.
Maria J
October 5, 2011 at 11:41 pmYum! I’ve been on a soup kick and my hubby has revolted but this may just bring him back to soup-loving again! I’d love a copy of the book as we have been increasing our vegan meals each week and as a mom of an energetic toddler and also a full-time work from home mom, slow-cooker recipes may just save my sanity! 🙂