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!
Audelle
I stumbled across Kathy’s blog last year when she was sharing new slow cooker oatmeal recipes – and fell in love. I never put those 2 things together and she has so many creative ideas. I also use my slow cooker year round but am in kind of a rut for savory meals – would love a copy of her book to see more of her creative works (while continuing to Eat To Live:)
Denise
I have not posted here until now! I am a lurker : )
Thanks for your awesome recipes! We have tried several over the years and loved them all. Anyway, my husband and I would love this book and hope we are the lucky winners! We work different schedules and hardly see each other, so this book might be the handy tool to help us use the (currently) dusty slow cooker! Thanks : )
Caroline
My fav vegan slow cooker recipe is for Sloppy Lentils. It’s so easy to make (lentils, onions, chilli power, stock and tinned tomatoes) that I can whip it up in about 10 mins.
As a busy Mum the slow cooker is great. I don’t have to stir hot pans while running back and forth looking after my daughter. I can even sweat off vegetables in the cooker on high to make meals on step.
The best thing is that I can have a small portion with my baby (so she doesn’t eat too late) and then an adult portion when my Husband comes home from work.
Sara
I love the slow cooker, and ever since going vegetarian I find it harder to use for meals (I usually just cook beans in them {after soaking and boiling for 20 mins}.) Here’s hoping I win a copy of the book! 😀 If not, thanks for sharing this yummy recipe! My husband adores hot and sour soup!
SW
I would love this book! I use the slow cooker all the time but have just recently converted to veganism. I dont know what to cook! This book would be a big help!
Jessica Tripp
Hey Kathy,
I would love to win the Vegan Slow cooker because my husband and I recently became vegans (as of 4 weeks ago) and are in need for some great recipes and tips!
skoura
I have recently made the jump from meat eater to vegan in an attempt to be more heart-healthy. My favorite dish to make with my crock pot (my favorite appliance!) is corned beef and cabbage. Having a whole book of delicious vegan recipes to prepare in my crock pot would certainly help ease the transition.
Annemarie
I found your blog by chance last May (I told my mom I’d cook her 1 healthy meal/week for her Mother’s Day present) and quickly fell in love with your recipes! I cooked vegan dinners for my mom, sister, and I throughout the summer–my mom loved their nutritional profile and my sister the taste. About a month ago, I decided to become a vegan, and I have never felt better. However, I’m in college, and to say the vegan dining hall options are minimal is definitely an understatement! I’m planning on getting a slow cooker for my dorm room, and would love to win a copy of the book!
Emily Turner Condill
As a busy veg mother to 3 little ones, our slow cooker is used almost daily! Slow cooking gives me more play time with them. I would love to win a copy of this cookbook! This soup is going on the dinner plan for next week! Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer Meyer
This looks fantastic! I’m in dire need of some healthy vegan crock pot recipes. The crock pot just saves me so much time and headache in the mornings for breakfast steel cut oats and in the crazy busy evenings after work for dinner. Most crock pot recipes are so full of fat, creamed soups and processed crap – I just end up cooking the few same moderately healthy recipes over and over. I would love Love LOVE to have this book.
Jenn
I would love a copy of this book. I love to cook with my slow cooker here in the chilly Northeast. But the book isn’t for me. I have a friend I would pass it on to. She lost her 17 year old cousin to cancer just over a month ago. In honor of him she has taken on the vegan lifestyle. She so wants to be a success at this and I would love to be able to give her this tool to use in her journey. Please consider her for the book.
becky park
Love these recipes! Thanks!
Allison Andres
I have been obsessed with my slow-cooker when my husband and I started working opposite shifts cooking a meal really didn’t seem appealing.
I’m not very creative though, so we are eating a lot of potato stew and curry, this book will really help me broaden my culinary skills and have a nice meal every day!
Kristen Tamblyn
This is exactly what I need with a 2.5 year old and 3 month old at home. It would be amazing to make dinner when they are napping rather than trying desperately to throw food together in the evening when they are much more needy. I haven’t figured out how to use my slow cooker for much more than dried beans so far.
Liz
Like you, my slow cooker is likewise gathering dust! I’m also in grad school and working full time, so I would love to find more ways to use it!
Anita
I’m going to have to look out my crock pot and try making this. I would love a copy of this book.
amey
what a great giveaway! My boyfriend is crazy for hot and sour soup… I can’t say I love it that much. But I also have a slow cooker, which mostly just collects dust on top of the fridge. I’d love to put it to use more often!
Danielle
The soup you made looks delicious! My favorite crock pot recipe is vegan chili. I would love a copy of the book as I am a busy, working mom and it would help give me more ideas for the crock pot. I have been using it a lot lately for steel cut oatmeal and basic soups or rice/lentils and am finding that I need some inspiration. Thanks.
Sara Moore
I have really missed hot and sour soup — most of the versions at restaurants are not veg-friendly. Thanks for sharing!
My favorite slow cooker dish is my veganized version of my family’s recipe for Brunswick Stew. I couldn’t do without it once I went veg, and it’s surprisingly similar to the original. It’s just about cold enough to start making it again, too!
Chris D.
I have LOVED your blog for years! Thank you so much for your innovative and tasty recipes. You help me stay on track.
My favorite crockpot recipe is a layered enchilada casserole I veganized years ago. I especially like to utilize crockpots during the holidays – they are great for a casual buffet. I would really appreciate adding this cookbook to my collection.
Thank you for offering your spare copy – what fun!
Dianne
I’ve recently become a vegetarian (2 months ago) trending towards vegan. I made some seitan, but I don’t know what to do with it. It is waiting in the freezer. The cookbook would be a big help. Thanks for what you do.
Rachael
I really love to make chilli in my slow cooker! I just use a recipe in my head though, because I never write my recipes down :). But chickpeas are always a must!
Amy
My favorite slow cooker recipe is a 3 bean chili! It smells so amazing when it’s cooking all day in my house. I would love a copy of this book to add more vegetarian recipes to my collection!
Susan Updegraff
I don’t have a slow cooker so can’t leave a favorite recipe. But I would love tohave a slow cooker and try these Vegan recipes. I am new to exploring vegan recipes. We recently saw and read Forks Over Knives and are working to convert our diet to vegan.
Wendy O.
Why do I want a copy of this fabulous book? Because I, too, have a slow cooker languishing in the garage due to a paucity of crockpot recipes that don’t include meat. Never would have thought of making soup this way. What a grand idea.
In addition, I would look forward to irresistable vegan dishes that can be “passively” cooked — i.e., little prep time, no hovering over the stove or oven. I’ve stopped contributing to potlucks (always trying to promote awareness of vegan cuisine to others….) because I just don’t have the time to make something that will knock the socks off the meat-eaters. This book might do it.
By the way, hot-and-sour soup is *the* food I most want when I have a sore throat, the flu, a cold….i.e., when I’m generally feeling lousy with winter ailments. And there just aren’t any vegan versions available commercially. (I’m not adventurous enough to try the stuff in cans with labels I can’t read on the shelves in Chinatown.)
The fact that this book contains such a must-have-but-often-overlooked recipe is a good sign. I would love to discover the other delights that await in this inspiring work.
Libby M
I love a sweet potato chili from the crock pot!
April
I love your site and I would love to add this book to my collection!
JoAnne
Thank you and Kathy for this recipe! Your recipes have been such a lifesaver and inspiration, and the stories delightful. Thank You!!!
Since changing to our new way of eating (simple, fatfree, whole food, plant strong, vegan (2 years)), my one and only remaining recipe for slow cooking is a variation of Crock Pot Fajitas from Zonya Foco’s Cookbook. I would love to have and SO use The Vegan Slow Cooker! I have been struggling with ideas to use the slow cooker more (in addition to simply beans). Thank you for sharing this opportunity too!
Mary C.
This soup makes me want a copy of this book! It looks wonderful 🙂
Mel
I have always wanted some ways to use my slow cooker other than chili! Time to try some new things out, thanks for the inspiration.
Darcy
I loved it when my mom used the crock pot when I was young. It was so comforting to come home at dinner time and smell whatever yummy thing it was she had cooking. I’d love to be able to do that in my vegan home with this book.
May Terry
Thanks for this. I love hot and sour soup!
Amanda
My favorite slow cooker recipe is chili! Nothing beats it on a blustery fall day. Mmmmm.
I can’t wait to put this soup together in the crockpot.
Kim
I would love to have a copy of the book because a) the recipes sound great and b) I’m determined to actually use my slow cooker this winter and want to make some awesome vegan dinners for my family!
Michelle
My fav slow cooker recipe is a great ratatouille: just throw in onion, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, garlic, thyme, basil, and lots of garlic and let it be. Have a great stew-like mix that is perfect year round
kim esper
I would love to win the book because in the fall, winter & spring my slow cooker gets more use than any other appliance in my kitchen!
Krista
I would love to have this cook boom because I am so pressed for time! Before going Vegan I used my crockpot quite often, but now I don’t know what to make in it. By having this cookbook I would be able to make healthy Vegan meals without spending lots of time cooking. This would be great because I’m in grad school and my husband is in dental school, which means I end up eating lots of salad and boca burgers. Thanks for the review, I’ve been looking for a vegan crockpot cookbook, if I don’t win I’ll have to break down and buy it 🙂
Cena
I would love this book because I’m new to being vegan for one thing. Secondly, I have 10 children, hence my slow cooker sometimes literally saves my day (or my life) with the busy craziness around here. My family is slowly being converted. The less I say, but the more I just cook them yummy things, they don’t much notice whether its vegan or not.
Liga Rozentale
Hi!
I’d like a copy of the book because I have to turn my fast food eating husband into a uberhealthy eater due to a serious liver condition and I think alot of these recipes could help as he actually loves using a slow cooker. 🙂
Thanks, Best, Līga
Mike
Love soup recipes for the slow cooker! Thanks!