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!
Mandy
Long time vegetarian, recent owner of a crock pot. Sadly, it’s still in the box because I don’t cook. This book would mean far fewer nights of air-popped popcorn for dinner!
Susan Wymer
I’m about to buy a slow cooker so winning this book would be right on time!
MaryAnn
I haven’t use a slow-cooker in many years. I gave up eating meat years ago and thought that was what a slow cooker was for.
Imagine my surprise when I received your e-mail with the Hot and Sour Vegan Soup Recipe and the information about the Vegan Slow-Cooker Cookbook.
I now need to purchase a slow-cooker and this new cookbook.
Hence, I am looking forward for the chance of winning the Vegan Slow-Cooker Cookbook so all I’ll have left to do is purchase the Slow-Cooker and cook.
Good luck to all of us who are entering for that chance!
Lauren Neybert
I would be so grateful to win a copy of The Vegan Slow Cooker. I have been paging through Amazon’s sneak peak online for weeks and the recipes seem simple and delicious (including this soup!) My boyfriend’s grandma gave me a slow cooker for the holidays two years ago and I have only used it twice because I discovered there are not many good vegan slow cooker recipes out there that do not rely heavily on fake meats, with the exception of this book! If I had more slow cooker recipes, I would be sure to pull it out of my closet way more often!!
Ivy
I love making beefless stew in the crockpot–never ceases to taste absolutely amazing–just like pot roast, without the meat, though. I already pre-ordered the book, but it would nice to give one to a friend 🙂
Suzanne
I’m so glad to see this! Of all asian cooking, hot and sour soup is the only thing I miss. I will make it this week. Thank you Susan!
Melissa
My poor slow cooker has gathered dust since I went vegetarian over a year ago…I would LOVE to try out this book.
Terri Cole
My go-to crockpot recipe is my 3 Bean Veggie Chili.
Emily Soleil
Slow cooking sounds perfect! prep the night before, dump everything in the pot and press go! With my husband in grad school, me with a full time job and rehearsals (actress), trying to save money to pay off our debt from traveling around the country in a truck for 6 months, we try and eat home cooked food as often as possible. The problem is, we LOVE good food! PB&J just doesn’t cut it, and most prepared foods are super processed or have a ton of oil in them, so we want to eat food we make (plus, we’re really good cooks). So I would LOVE a copy of this book. (plus this spicy hot and sour soup sound amazing! and with cold season coming up, we’ll need something to clear our sinuses)
Maya
My favorite thing to make in crock pot is a hearty lentil soup! I would love to win a copy of this book. It would make life a little easier for myself and my husband.
Char Rickey
Finally!! A slow cooker low fat vegan recipe book that includes pictures and nutritional information!! Could there be anything else to ask for??? Oops, forgot the food is good too!! I would LOVE to have a copy of this book and, obviously, if I don’t win a copy, I’ll have to get my own either by purchase or putting it on my xmas list 🙂
Sarahjane
I love making sweet & sour cabbage in the slow cooker. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition at this point, and the house ends up smelling like molasses.
Sarah
I would definitely put this cookbook to good use! My husband and I are out of the house working for long hours every day. Even though I love cooking, by the time I get home, I often have very little energy to do so. This book would be a lifesaver.
By the way, our favorite thing to make in the crockpot is either pea soup, or your pinto bean chili. Your chili is a hit every single time!
Megan Willsen
Thanks for yet another healthy, vegan, and beautiful recipe. My poor slow cooker has only made vegetable broth, black beans, and once I got adventurous, vegan lasagna. I’d love to expand it’s repertoire. Thank you!
Miranda
I would love to have this cook book. I’m pregnant and newly vegan. Being pregnant has changed my way of thinking about food and I’m exploring any new recipes that I can get my hands on. A vegan slow cooker cookbook would be the perfect thing for fall and winter.
Heidi
I just may have to investigate this, because my husband LOVES hot and sour soup but can never order it. If the other recipes in this cookbook are half as enticing as this, I’d love to be entered in the drawing!
Wendy
My favorite slow cooker recipe is one from Peas and Thank You. It’s a Spicy African Peanut Stew and you can find it here at http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/01/28/slow-mornin-slow-cookin/
You’ve just given me some inspiration to recreate it with faux coconut milk from The Healthy Librarian at Happy Healthy Long Life. I will also up the level of greens and veggies. I wonder if it will be as delicious? We’ll find out!
Trezlen
I would really like this book because I would like to be full-time vegan/vegetarian. Two things pull me back: I am anemic and will occasionally eat meat because there is only so much green veg (and vitamins) I can eat; and, I need the inspiration of GOOD vegan food to entice me to stick with it. Please choose me!
Aimee B.
This soup loks fabulous! I would love a copy of, “The Vegan Slow Cooker,” because in the fall and winter months I use my slow cooker almost daily. 🙂
Lynda
I would love a copy of the book because I need more slow cooker recipes. I adore putting it in the pot and letting it cook all day while I “do my own thing”. easy-peasy.
Carol
I would love a copy of Kathy Hester’s book! It is really hard to find a vegan slow cooker book. I live up in the mountains and drive about 45 minutes to get to work. In the cooler weather I try to make slow-cook recipes so we have hot food when we get the chores completed after we get home (we have a small farm). Since going vegan I am constantly (and not with a lot of success) modifying recipes that call for ingredients I cannot use. Pick me! 🙂
Gloria
I’d love a copy of the book because I could stand to have more family-friendly vegan recipes, and although I have a crockpot cookbook, it’s vegetarian (requiring more substitutions) – and I’m not thrilled with the recipes. The way you describe it – how could I *not* want a copy of my own?
Alexandria Lewis
Now that I am a full time student again it is getting harder to prepare nutritious meals when I get home at 6. I have never used a crock pot but my mother in law just got us one, hope to win the cookbook so I can finally put it to use!! Plus our household misses hot and sour soup too so I am excited to try her recipe out!!
Polly B.
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your informative and easy to digest (get it?) website! I am new to the site and to Veganism, and am so enjoying every morsel (sorry, couldn’t help myself) you dish out.
Oct. 21 2010 I was diagnosed with a rare form of uterine cancer, leiomyosarcoma. Having completed chemo and am starting to get back on my feet, I thought I should cleanse my pre-cancer diet as much as possible. Research showed that dairy, meat and sugar products were not beneficial to anyone’s health, let alone someone trying to beat the odds of cancer. Therefore I have adopted a vegan diet. Am considering the no-fat version as well. (as soon as I get the courage)
Thank you for your user-friendly and easy to understand commentary. You have helped me enter the ‘scary’ world of veganism and to make the entire experience much less intimidating. I would love to be considered as a possible recipient of The Vegan Slow Cooker book by Kathy Hester. Slow cooker meals have been a mainstay for my active family and a vegan slow cooker book would help us all to enjoy the same meal! Thank you again for the work you are doing, and I’m sorry I missed you when you were in Portland. Hopefully we can connect next time!
Warmest regards,
Polly B.
moonwatcher
Wow, Susan, this book looks great, and sold me on the fact I need to get a slow cooker. I was ready to buy one by the time I got to the list of recipes! And then by the time I had read the featured recipe I was also ready to buy one for Mike and Kelly!! The thing I really liked hearing about the book besides the gluten free alternatives (would love to try that apple sausage) was the layout. I really get very mixed up having to turn back and forth between ingredients and instructions, especially with my hands in garlic or ginger or whatever, so this really appeals to me. I would love to win a copy! And I’ll be keeping an eye out for the best slow cooker. If you have a suggestion for one that’s relatively small, let me know. Maybe I’ll get lucky at the thrift store, who knows. This is a recipe I would love to have in winter.
xoxo
moonwatcher
Thane
I haven’t used my slow cooker in soooo long!! This recipe sounds so fabulous!!!! I would love a copy of this book and get my cookin on!!!
Kim C
My favorite recipe for the slow cooker is Red Beans & Rice. Celery, beans, garlic and onions! Serve on top of rice. Wonderful and easy!
Jodi
Thank you for your wonderful site. I am a vegan of only two weeks!!! and must say Dr. Fuhrman’s book is what started me on this path as I have diabetes and am overweight and want to get healthy!!! I’d love the slow cooker cookbook because with 6 kids it would be great to throw dinner in the crock and forget about it, thanks!!!!
Kelley
At long last a slow cooker cookbook for vegans. You both rock. The slow cooker is perfect for fat free, vegan dishes that have lots and lots of flavor.
Elizabeth
I would love to have this recipe book because I do alot of crock pot cooking for my family but not myself and this would be so great to get them to eat some vegan dishes also. And how neat it would be to win since Friday is my birthday. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win this cookbook.
Cynthia V
I would love to win the cookbook!
I love cooking dried beans in my slow cooker, pinto beans with vegan southern cornbread, and spicy black bean with brown rice( I have 6 and I use them all, from hot dips to slow baked beans).
I have been vegan for 5 years, my husband is a vegetarian who just once in a while eats cheese.
Thanks so much for all you do in promoting the vegan lifestyle.
Traci
I desperately need a good slow cooker cookbook. I have two young children, a part time job that I do from home while I stay at home with the youngest, and we just bought a house, so I’ll be packing, moving, and then unpacking. There is nothing better than having a hot cooked meal all ready to go at the end of the day! Please, oh please, oh please pick me so that I will not have to resort to greasy, salty take-out nightly for the next month!
Love your blog!
Traci
Courtney
I love to make tortilla soup in my crock pot…. it can simmer all day, and when you get home the aroma is so nice to come home to! I would love a copy of this book because I am newly vegan and can use some inspiration and new ideas for the crockpot… especially now that Fall is here!
alyzarin
My favorite slow cooker recipe is a vegetarian version of cassoulet.
adrienne
I love my slow cooker but find that most recipes involve meat. For a veggie loving girl, I would love to win this book and try out some great vegan recipes.
Pam
First of all, I would like to say that I really enjoy your website and all of the lovely pictures! Thanks for all of your time and effort.
Second — I’m sure everyone would like a copy of this cookbook but I’ll put my comments in just in case I could be the lucky one. I enjoy collecting cookbooks on vegan/vegetarian cooking and especially cookbooks with pictures. I call them “big-girl picturebooks”.
Thanks again.
Pam
Rebecca R.
I can’t think of a favorite slow cooker recipe…pretty much any soup! Especially this time of year.
I’d love to add the cookbook to my vegan arsenal 🙂
Danielle
I would LOVE to win the book because I think slow cookers are so awesome, but I haven’t found many vegan recipes….
Mia J
Awesome, I looove hot and sour soup! I’ll be making this for sure..
I’d love a copy of that book.. it would be the perfect, healthy start for someone who has absolutely no cookbooks yet!
kelly redard
When I first heard of this book ( from your Facebook page I think) I put it in my amazon wish list. If I win this book my wishes will come true!