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!
Tiffany
Making soup in a slow cooker is such a good idea. I don’t have a specific recipe to share, but my favorite thing I’ve made using a slow cooker was actually a hot and sour soup. It had a bunch of Tex-Mex type of flavor components–definitely spicy, but so good. Other than that, I haven’t used the slow cooker much, so getting a copy of this book would be a great way to turn that trend around.
JAY JACOBS
Oh my…those recipes have got my taste buds tingling…am constantly amazed by the variety of vegan treats that are possible and LOVE my slow cooker and the way food tastes that has been cooked this way!
Thanks for the chance …hope I win..am crossing my fingers and toes!
Jay
Lisa
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe and sharing your extra copy of the cookbook with a luck winner. I am eager to know how people keep their slow cookers on all day when they are not home. My husband is convinced that is a fire hazard or cooking nightmare. If I can convince him otherwise, this would be my preferred style of vegan cooking as I am out at work and with kids all day! One pot cooking that is ready when you get home! What a dream! I would love to learn how to cook like this for my vegetarian family that I am always trying to convert to veganism.
abigail
I’d like a copy of the book because I don’t have a favourite slow cooker recipe yet! I like to make vegan Cincinnati-style chilli and things with rice/lentils as they get more flavourful the longer they’re left to cook, but I’m still on the look-out for a number 1 recipe
Lauren
I think my favorite slow cooker recipe is from Robin Robertson’s Quick Fix Vegetarian. The recipe involves stuffing a kabocha squash with brown rice, dried cranberries, spices etc. Once it’s cooked you can spoon out the rice with tender bits of kabocha from the walls of the squash. Yum! I also like to slow cook jack fruit with homemade bbq sauce to mimic and bbq pulled pork sandwich. 🙂
Polly
Thanks for the opportunity to win a crockpot book. I love using my crockpot!
Happy Days!
Fiona
I don’t know if I’m allowed to enter because I am currently in Australia, but I will be back in California just after Xmas and I have things sent to my mother-in-law in California to hold on for me until I get back all the time anyway lol. I LOVE the slow cooker because I often lose motivation to cook dinner if I wait to start it until after 5pm. My favorite slow cooker recipe comes from Fresh From the Vegetarian Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson. It’s called Bobotie (or African Bobotie). I made it because the ingredients sounded so unusual, and they did indeed come out tasting unusual – and delicious!
When I flipped through Kathy Hester’s book on Amazon, I knew I wanted it for the recipes of seitan, ketchup, and marinara sauce. I love the idea of easily making convenience foods like these and saving money! Plus, I loved how she divided the instructions into “night before” and “morning”. It’s genius because people always complain that with many slow cooker recipes they can’t just dump it all in and go. While you still can’t just dump it in and go, with Kathy’s directions dividing up the work it seems like it would make the whole process a lot easier. I also love that it’s the first slow cooker book I’ve seen that’s all vegan! Even though Fresh From the Vegetarian Slow Cooker is almost totally vegan, it’s nice to see a book with the vegan label and know every recipe is completely vegan. I will definitely buy this book if I don’t win it, but with all the costs associated with moving back and forth between Australia and California, it would be nice to have one less thing to buy!
Thanks for reviewing this book by the way! I love this series you’re doing! 🙂
caterina
sorry for the dumb quetion, but do you think that there could be another way of making this recipe without a slowcooker? I don’t have one, but the recipe sounds so yummy, and I would like very much to try it!
SusanV
I think it would be fine to bring the water to a boil in a soup pot, add everything except the peas, cover and cook on low for about 30 minutes. Add the peas a few minutes before serving.
caterina
thank you for the suggestion!
Laurin
I’ve been eyeing this cookbook for weeks, and this soup recipe has convinced me I need to get it! I live with my elderly grandmother who recently had an aneurism and a stroke. She’s finally home after almost two months in the hospital and recovery center but needs care 24/7. Between school, work and helping to care for her, finding time to prepare healthy vegan food is proving difficult. I want to start making slow-cooked meals I can eat all week without having to eat out, but I’ve never really cooked with a slow cooker. This cookbook looks like it’s full of good recipes. Even some low fat, low sodium ones my Texan grandma might enjoy!
Michelle
BBQ jackfruit is super easy in a slow cooker. Toss in the jackfruit, slice up an onion, and pour some homemade bourbon bbq in…delicious!
Anna Norris
I’d love to get some recipes for my crock pot. I have a chilli I do but it’s getting old. Thanks
Grace
Hi, Susan,
I’m always happy & ready to try your delicious recipes. Consequently, I was very excited when I saw the “slow cooker” recipe since just last night I was thinking about how long it’s been since I used my slow cooker due to the lack of vegan recipes. Thanks for posting this recipe and solving my problem.
Have a great day!
Grace
Ruth
This is right on time! My crockpot has been gathering dust too and I’m eager to put it back to use. Particularly in the Fall, it is so comforting to have something (safely) simmering away and filling the house with wonderful aroma. I would love to have this book!
elessar tetramariner
Susan,
Judging by the images, Kathy’s slow-cooking recipe 4 hot & sour soup looks like the same I used to make when I lived in Michigan. I intend to print more images for my new house’s kitchen & dining rooms–yes, I bought a new house May 31st, and have been ‘upgrading’ ever since. £9,000 for solar panels was just the start! Then, new water heater (boiler), sheds for tools/materials, sowing of wildflowers. The conservatory/greenhouse awaits approval from my local government authorities, but you can bet I’ll be growing peppers, tomatoes, herbs like basil, dill, oregano,thyme & flowers and more. It will be an actual conservatory, with chair to read in the sun or have a guest. I have a plan!
You don’t mind me using some of your images to make guests salivate while enjoying a beer, pop, wine,snack, chips, crisps or cocktail, do you?
Blaine
Hi! I’ve been reading your blog for over two years now and I love sharing the recipes with nonvegan friends and family to show them what good food tastes like. I’m now a sophomore in college and part of a group called the Ecovores. We host a lot of dinners for groups of all sizes, and I’d love a slow-cooker book so I can start things before class, go about my busy day and have delicious vegan noms ready to share with everyone!
Miriam
As a vegetarian, the only way I use my slow cooker is to cook dry beans, which is why I want a copy of this book! We got a really nice slow cooker as a wedding gift and need to find new ways to use it.
Crystal
I would like to win a copy of this book for my mom. She is a meat lover, who just got a crock pot. We were talking the other day and she said that she wants to start eating more vegetarian meals, but has never seen a veg crock pot recipe book. I agreed and told her I’d keep an eye out…and then I got this email from your website! It’s a sign! 🙂
Ali
I would love to have the cookbook as I don’t know to cook most stuff. To me cooking means preparing boiled eggs and tea only you can imagine!!
Paul Becker
Hot and Sor soup is one of my all time favorites but I can’t imagine it without Szechuan peppercorns. I’ll give this a try but I’ll probably modify it.
Mary
Fasolada is what I like! It is a greek navy or canellini or giant beans soup with onions, a bit tomato paste, lots of carrots, salt/pepper, that’s it! My mother cooks it without olive oil, whoever wants to adds on the plate. Just a bit of olive
oil on the plate is really good.
Laurie Conley
My favorite slow-cooker recipe is Refried Beans without the Refry, found on all recipes.com. That’s pretty much the only thing I make in the slow cooker, so this recipe book sounds very handy!
Ashley Pruneau
Yay! Me & my boyfriend just got a brand new, huge slow-cooker! We’ve been using it 70% of every week since we got it; and I just stumbled upon your recipe- I’m gonna try it 2nite! Being a vegan cook, and acquiring a new toy, I would love a copy of your book- simpler than googling different sites. I appreciate having the book in hand myself- instead of checking the computer screen… Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Dawn Carter
I would love to have this cookbook!!! I have been wanting Hot and Sour Soup since I starting my plant-based eating. This recipe looks yummy.
Allie
Right now my favorite use for my slow cooker is making refried beans–so insanely cheap, and it gives me so much food. I would love a copy of this cookbook as I am already a fan of Kathy’s blog, this soup recipe looks amazing and I’d love to expand my uses for my slow cooker 🙂
Matt
I have a Sunday ritual where I make a big pot of slow-cooker beans – its delicious but somehow I keep making the same thing every week. Its always cumin, hot sauce, chili powder, etc -I usually wing it but end up creating the same mexican-inspired dish.
This book would revolutionize my slow cooking, fast paced existence! I would do anything for some new recipe ideas, especially outside of my usual south of the border fare.
Donna King
we have recently gone vegan and always looking for new recipes to try to keep us motivated to stay healthy. This soup looks incredibly delicious so I would love to win a copy of the whole cookbook. Thanks!
Sherri Garner
Dear Susan,
As a gourmet and animal lover I try hard to entice my family with great vegan cuisine. Your site has been a blessing to me and other vegan epicurians.
I love to create gourmet delights, and this book is a MUST HAVE. Especially fond of Asian vegan products it is difficult to find trendy recipes.
The soup is excellent. I used dried Shitake and canned oyster mushrooms. Serving it tonight with my crock pot Mapo Tofu.
Berenice
That looks delicious! I’d love a copy of the book because I’ve been wanting it since it first came out but haven’t been able to find the money to buy it. Also, I am about to start a new job and would love to have dinner ready when I get home.
Douglas Bancks
Hi Susan,
I recently retired but my wife still needs to work so I do my best to plan a delicious and healthy meal for the evening. It has not been easy as most recipes I make are based around too few taste alternatives and ingredients. I am not looking for recipes that have hard-to-find ingredients at all. I need simple, nutritious, tasty meals that come together easily. I hope the slow cooker cookbook supplies as much. Thank you for sharing.
G Wilson
I’m afraid I don’t have a favorite recipe (other than that good ol’ standby: chili), since I don’t use my slow cooker *nearly* as much as I should. That’s why I’d love a copy of this book! 🙂
Thanks for this contest, Susan, and thanks for your terrific blog!
Viki
I am vegan and gluten free and would love to use my crock pot for more than rewarming soup to be ready after yoga class!
Thank you for your great site.
Laurie
My favorite slow cooker recipe is for a seitan roast with carrots and potatoes. Smells (and tastes) so good!
Thanks for your great recipes and the opportunity to win this book!
TOBI
CHOLENT IS MY FAVORITE SLOW COOKER RECIPE. THE JEWISH PEOPLE PREPARE IT FOR OUR SABBATH.
Andy
I would love a copy of this book! I had been looking at it before, but finances being as they are, I’ve always had to say “Another time…”
A few months ago, I bought a slow-cooker but it didn’t get much use in the summer time, but I am very excited to put it to work now that it’s cooler outside and that the school year has started again. I’m a graduate student working on a PhD, which means long days in the lab, and as much as I love to cook, by the time I get home I’m in no mood to dance around my tiny kitchen to come up with something, but I’m also no fan of fast food or processed, frozen meals (especially expensive vegan-friendly ones). As such, the notion of putting my slow-cooker to work and having a hot meal with fresh, local ingredients the moment I walk through the door is thrilling!
Love the blog!
Shirah
Someone gave me a slow cooker over a year ago and all it does is grow dusty on the shelf- I’ve been curious to pull it out and give it a try. A new cookbook would be a great reason!
elizabeth
I don’t have a favorite slow cooker recipe…yet! I’m really interested in making comforting vegan food and I’d love to check this book out.
Shveta
Wow, so many comments! Well, I’d like to win the book because I’ve been thinking of trying my hand at slow cooker recipes. It feels like something warm and comforting as we in the U.S. head into autumn.
And I also love hot and sour soup (though adding peas to it is new)!
Amanda
I use my slow-cooker all the time during the cooler months. My favorite recipe is vegan corn chowder, both because it tastes amazing and is so easy!
I can’t wait to try out this recipe! Thanks for the review of what looks like a fun and easy to use cookbook for real people.
Kara
This looks AWESOME! I made miso soup once, but this looks even better! I would love a copy of the book to learn how to use my slow-cooker.
MO
This looks awesome. P-L-E-A-S-E may I win? My husband is addicted to his crock pot! It’d be perfect for us!