(Yes, I did use a dreaded Rachel Ray word in the recipe title. I apologize for that, but it fits for this recipe. It starts out as a soup but turns into a stew the next day, as you can see from the photos.)
WELCOME TO THE FOURTH VIRTUAL VEGAN POTLUCK! I’ve got some appreciation to take care of: First of all, thank you to every one who signed on to this craziness. The directions are complicated, the reminder emails get annoying, and most of all, I know the amount of effort it takes to get a blog post to the Publish stage. I truly appreciate your time and energy. I’m always awed and inspired by what you create in the kitchen.
I made a few changes in implementation for this Potluck and it’s made all of the difference. Having Mentors helping me communicate and coordinate with participants took a big weight off of my shoulders, so thank you thank you to my international crew: Rachael of Rubber Cowgirl, Keely of Gormandize, Barb of That Was Vegan?, Kamila of Sensual Appeal, Liezl of Spinach Revolution, and Angela of Canned Time. Angela wore multiple hats and did a great job with the VVP Pinterest board. And thanks to Lidia over at Vegan Bloggers Unite! for once again playing hostess to the Potluck.
Lastly, I want to share what I discovered shortly before I started work on this Potluck. I realized that when I backed off of worrying about sponsorship and promotion, I enjoyed the process again: welcoming bloggers to their first Potluck; seeing old friends sign up for their fourth event; helping people choose a course or dish. After all, my original inspiration was to carve out some space and time to share plant-based food with the blogging community – many of whom have become friends. It’s about letting our creativity shine. It’s about appreciating the unique perspective we all have. And this November it was all about making everything from bread to desserts using beets…
RED LENTIL, COUSCOUS, & VEGETABLE STOUP
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- Bragg Liquid Aminos – just a splash
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried onion flakes
- pinch coriander
- pinch black pepper
- 1 15 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup dried red lentils
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 no-salt vegetable bouillon cube
- 1 15 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained
- 1 Italian vegan sausage link, homemade (or use Field Roast brand, sliced)
- 4 cups spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup whole wheat couscous
Instructions
- In a large pot, sauté the onions, carrot, and celery in some vegetable broth and/or water. Add a splash of Liquid Aminos, cover and cook the vegetables until soft. After about 10 minutes, stir in the garlic, thyme, coriander, dried onion, and black pepper. Stir for about a minute.
- Pour in the tomatoes, zucchini, lentils, broth, water, veggie bouillon, and artichoke hearts. Bring mixture to a boil, then turn down the heat to a simmer; cover, and cook for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Stir in the sausage, spinach, and couscous and cook for about 20 more minutes. Serve piping hot with vegan Parmesan-style cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 854
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 47
- Protein: 16
- Cholesterol: 7
Here’s what I shared in previous Potlucks:
May 2012: Sage & Rosemary Dinner Rolls with Roasted Garlic Coconut Butter
November 2012: Maple Creme & Mocha Spice Cake Trifle with Fresh Blueberries
May 2013: Sweet Potato Fries with Parsley, Garlic, & Lemon Zest
ONWARD! There is a LOT more eating to do!
To go back to Juicy Dishes, click here or on the image below.
To move forward to Soulicious Life, click here or on the image below.
To start at the very beginning, click here.
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Stoup is an awesome word! It fits this perfectly. I’ve got some field roast sausages just waiting to be used! Can’t wait to make this
I think she needs a nap, or two, eh Somer 🙂
I’d love a bowl of that Stoup though….going through the VVP is making my stomach crazy!!
♥
I slept quite well last night. Good thing, too – cuz it’s gonna be a long day – of deliciousness ;-)!
My stomach has been growling since 5am. Glad you slept too 😉
This is the Volvo of soups. Reliable, nice to drive, but not very attractive. Oh, but yummy, of course.
Not very attractive?! Are you kidding, girl? Try telling that to my rumbling tummy right now. 🙂
This sounds delicious! We just made a lentil + kale soup/stew (I refuse to use that word, haha) tonight, since my fiancee has the worst cold ever. It’s the season! 🙂
Thanks again for organizing the VVP!
I debated about using stoup, I really did. Rachael Ray makes my hackles go up. But in the end I just had to go with stoup’s descriptive powers ;-).
That is one hearty looking meal. I like the idea of the artichoke hearts, they’re an interesting addition. Congratulations on your fourth VVP, I hope it goes smoothly and fills lots of virtual tummies. I already feel pretty full after looking at this dish but I’m sure I can squeeze a few more in…
Do your best, Lorna – but pace yourself for desserts!!
I’m afraid I went straight there after yours….I just couldn’t wait!
Cannot blame you one bit!
Cor that looks like a hearty bowl of goodness! Happy Potluck! XX
Hearty is the perfect word!
Thanks for organizing another amazing VVP! I am so happy to have been along for the ride. This soup looks so warm and comforting.
Despite a few bumps here and there, it’s looking like the smoothest Potluck yet! Thanks so much for being a part of it (again)!
That’s looks really yummy! Most of my soups turns out to be stoups, but I like them that way 🙂 Thanks for all your hard work organizing the VVP again! I’m glad I could participate!
Me, too, Kathryn. Nothing wrong with a good stoup! Thanks – so glad you’re a part of the Potluck 🙂
VVP = uh.ma.zing. Loving going through everyone’s posts today. You rock, Annie!
Seriously blushing over here 🙂 – thank you, Claire. It still boggles my mind that ANYONE wants to do this with me. So grateful.
Love your inspirational words Annie, and as always thank you for all your hard work making this a reality. Thanks also to the mentors!
As for the stoup – that’s the first time I’ve heard that word and I love it!! This stoup looks fabulous and hearty, just what I’m craving in the chilly weather!
Also I love the colour scheme of your photos 😀
I’m all fall-like ;-).
Thanks, Poppy. Your support means the world and thank you so much for jumping in to help clean up those little messy spots in the Potluck!
My pleasure Annie! It’s been a fun potluck!!
Thanks so much for organizing this fun event, Annie! Your stoup looks really good.
Thank you, dear! My pleasure! Wouldn’t work without all of you lovely bloggers :-)!
I want to get into my “comfs” and eat a giant bowl of this. Do you reckon it would work with buckwheat instead of cous cous for my gluten free ness? THANK YOU so much for all of your hard work xxxx
Oh sure it would! Great idea.
I’m totally in my “comfs” right now, hehe. Enjoying a cup of tea and browsing through the Potluck!
Your soup looks great, Annie! Many thanks for all of your hard work on this round of the potluck!
🙂 Stressful, but so fun! xoxo
Stoup? *giggles* I want to keep repeating that word. Stoup stoup stoup. 😛 YUM!
My autocorrect is literally asking me to “stop” saying it now. LOL
Your stoup looks absolutely, amazingly delicious, Annie. Sooo freaking hearty! I totally want to make some stoup now!!!
Thank you sooooo very much for thinking of this wonderful event! 🙂 So happy to be a part of VVP again.
Hehe – yes – something addictive about STOUP! Sometimes the Auto Correct does not know best!!
Thanks for playing along, Susmitha!
Mmmm… I am a sucker for lentils and this looks delicious. Happy to be following this course this potluck! 😉
Me, too – love lentils!
This looks incredible (I know somewhere you said it didn’t… but, I’m here to say… ya-huh). And, it is the perfect time of year… as it get colder, my soups are getting thicker and thicker, anyway…. thanks for this!
Thanks, Nikki :-)! Humble, but delicious. Works for me!
You can rest easy with the “stoup”…Rachel Ray didn’t invent it! She stole it from my ex father in law who was calling thick soup “stoup” back in the early 80’s so feel free to use it with impunity (and call Rachel Ray an imposteress!) 😉
Ahhhhh…that’s a relief!! Thank you!
You are welcome…thank Eric (the Viking) for pipping Ms “perky” Ray at the post 😉
Mmmm so warm & hearty. This perfect kind of dish for chilly winter nights 🙂
A huge thank you for organizing the Potluck Annie! You and the mentores have been so efficient and patient with us all. I’m delighted to join in for the first time and hope there are many more to come 🙂
Loving your hearty “stoup”. Just perfect for right now.
Thanks, babe! Fun, isn’t it :-)?
Your stoup looks delicious, Annie! And thank you for putting together such a great event!
My pleasure, Alina! Next one is in May ;-)!
I am so bleary eyed that I didn’t even realize that you stooped to Stoup, and I love your stoup. thick and hearty just the way I like it.
Thank you to you and all the peeps responsible for this shindig.
Ohh this sounds and looks just amazing… so comforting too!
Looks great! Do you think you could use quinoa instead of couscous for a gluten free option?
Why yes, dear reader, I think that would work splendidly!
Hehe. Glad this will work. Great job Annie! XO.
Now this is my kind of soup! Nice and hearty, full of texture and my favorite flavors!
Give me a blanket, a cup of tea, and a GIANT bowl of this stoup!! OHH my goodness, hearty AND delicious!
Another super successful and fabulously delicious potluck event my friend 😀
Nice one!
Cheers
CCU
That looks incredible! So delicious and easy to make… Thanks for all of your hard work ~ it’s been so much fun reading through all of these today at the same time as our friends all around the world!
Total comfort in a bowl Annie, and all my favorite things! So perfect.
Ah yes, stoup. Nothing says nourishing and hearty than a stoup! Thanks for putting the potluck together Anne! Sorry if I had a small delay with my entry but all is good now. Thanks again and congrats to the evergrowing event!
I didn’t even notice the delay, girl 🙂 I probably slept through it!
What a lovely photo of a lovely soup. I am a sucker for soup this time of year and yours includes some of my favorite ingredients!
Thanks, Betsy! I could eat soup every day, I think.
I have never heard of “stoup” before. I thought it was a mistake ;D. I am a huge fan of stoups (now that it has a name, I am going to make more stoups)…
Great recipe, it looks so good, I even want it in the bowl displayed in the photos. So beautiful and yummy looking.
Thank you for the great recipe.
I love that bowl and have had it for ages…I was so glad to be able to use it in the photo!
Thank you for all the hard work that you do to get the VVP to happen. So amazing! Thank you!
It went SO well this time!! Thank YOU!
Great work on VVP!! You should be really proud and happy for how everything has come together. That’s a terrific looking soup. I love a real hearty, meal-like soup. I don’t watch Rachel Ray, and so the only things I knew she said were “yummo” and “EVOO” (instead of actually saying extra virgin olive oil). Stoup is a new one on me!
The EVOO and yummo (don’t forget “delish!”) got real, real old. She’s the reason we got rid of the TV ;-)!
Annie dear, I truly cannot thank you enough for beginning this event. I am so proud of you and feel honoured to be participating for the 4th time!
This looks delicious and I won’t hold your Rachel Ray term against you 🙂
You are the sweetest – – thank you so much for this – truly makes me very happy.
Hehe – that does look like a stoup and it looks delicious too!!! And congratulations on pulling off yet another wonderful potluck Annie!! You are the master of coordination – that’s for darn sure! I don’t know how you manage two of these a year, but I appreciate your efforts. Thank you!! 🙂
Thanks so much for all your work on the VVP – it is such a great “event” and I know we all appreciate the opportunity to connect with fellow vegan bloggers. Also, this stew/soup looks amazing. Perfect for this time of year. Congrats on this season’s VVP – can’t wait for the next one 🙂
Appreciate it, Michelle! It’s a lot of work but so, so much fun. May 2014…
Oh my word, Annie! I just want to curl up with a blanket and that bowl of stoup and forget about the world.
Thank you again for holding such a fun event. VVP forever!
Thanks for taking the time to plan and organize again Annie! Oh my, that soup looks all kinds of hearty, comforting deliciousness. Now that is a meal in a bowl!
ahh a bowl of delicious stoup! Thank you Anie for all the hard work and an amazing VVP!!
hehe, I don’t know Rachel Ray OR stoup but I do know that this looks like such a comforting bowl of goodness!
Oh and THANK YOU once again for organising such an incredible event, Annie! I’m still working my way around the circuit and it’s so much fun! xx
Woohoo! Best one YET! xoxo
Be thankful you haven’t been sullied by Rachel Ray and her infernal annoying abbreviations :-).
Awesome event Annie! Once again a success, actually an event that has grown far too big for me to make through in a weekend! And that is awesome.
PS: I use the word stoup all the time, without apology 🙂
I was pretty bleary-eyed by the time I went through all of the blogs on Saturday. I’ll be going back through, taking my time – – to choose the best dishes when voting opens (soon!). Thanks, Trish!
Maybe if I changed the spelling to stewp I’d feel better about using it…
Ha~ stewp! I love it 🙂
Yeah, I’m changin’ it to stewp, darn it ;-)!
This looks so amazing! I’ve already saved it to make it when I’m home! Thank you for organizing everything – this is an amazing community and it is so fun to be a part of it!
I feel so lucky to have found such awesome people! Thanks, Laura!
This has to be the heartiest Stoup ever! I eat soup every other day in the winter. This is going on my list of soups to try.
I’m with you on daily soup! Perfect comfort food for cold days. Great thing about this soup (and any soup, really) is how adaptable it is to what you have on hand. Thanks for commenting!
Looks like a warm hug on a cool winter night!
Exactly! A warm hug that fills your belly!
Were can I find a “no-salt vegetable bouillon cube”? brand please.
Hi Frances – I get mine at Whole Foods. There are several brands, but the one I have currently in my cupboard is Rapunzel Vegan Vegetable Bouillon No Salt Added.
Well, here it is Tuesday night and I am still working my way through.Maybe I am just a slow eater. 🙂 I love this s(t)oup, Annie! It looks so hearty and nourishing. Perfect for the damp, chilly drizzle we have going on here in Seattle. Thank you for your vision and effort. This potluck has been a delight as always. xo
That looks absolutely delicious Annie! Seriously, so much fantastic goodness and I love field toast sausages! Yummy for my yummy 🙂
YUMMY!!! This looks so hearty and filling! Soup/stew is the best thing ever when it starts to get cold outside!
This looks so yummy! Perfect for the winter months. I love the thickness of stoups & can’t wait to make this.
I crave soups (and stoups!) this time of year!
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This looks incredible Annie, I love red lentils. Happy VVP!
I have a definite thing for lentil soup no matter what the season. This looks so delicious and hearty – a perfect end of the work week meal!
I know you love your lentils ;-)!
Gorgeous! You’re a legend for organising this massive event, glad I could help out and I’ll look forward to helping you out again for the next one. I’m thinking next potluck should feature some type of citrus – lemons, limes or oranges. I think it should be oranges. Great for savoury and sweet! Can’t wait ’til next time!
Keely, I’m putting you in charge of figuring out posting times worldwide ;-)!! Thank YOU – – it was great having a team to help. And I think orange is a great idea!
Boy, It’s taken me quite a while to get through all these! Your soup looks lovely, chunky and hearty–my favorite kind! Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication! <3
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