Whether you are vegan, veg-curious or just trying to eat a healthier diet, Nava Atlas‘ newest title, Plant Power: Transform Your Kitchen, Plate, and Life with More Than 150 Fresh and Flavorful Vegan Recipes, is a great resource. Packed with more than 150 recipes, Plant Power not only shows you how to make great plant-based dishes with an array of vegetables, legumes and fruit, but also how to shop and stock your pantry and refrigerator, as well as plan meals throughout the week.I first tried Nava’s cream of broccoli soup, which is made by blending white beans with broccoli, peas and dill, and balanced out perfectly with a touch of lemon juice. This vibrantly green soup is easy to make in less than 30 minutes and leftovers heat up nicely the next day. See the recipe below to make Nava’s soup for yourself and, if you are hungry for more, the kind folks over at HarperOne are offering a free copy of Nava’s book through this post.
The winner of this giveaway is Johanna, congrats!
For a chance to win a copy of this gorgeous hardcover cookbook with tons of interior photography shot by Hannah Kaminsky, just leave a comment below that includes your favorite go-to plant-based dish. I’ll randomly draw a winner on November 25. Please leave your email or some way to contact you in your comment in case you are drawn as the winner. Shipping is limited to US and Canada only. Good luck!
Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Recipe from Plant Power: Transform Your Kitchen, Plate, and Life with More Than 150 Fresh and Flavorful Vegan Recipes by Nava Atlas. ©2014, published by HarperOne, reprinted by permission.
A longtime favorite in our family of broccoli enthusiasts, this soup gets a thick, creamy base from pureed white beans or tofu. The addition of green peas at the end of cooking time brightens the color and heightens the flavor of the soup. This is great served with many kinds of wraps or sandwiches, or with a colorful main dish salad such as Taco Salad.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable broth or water
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 32-ounce carton low-sodium vegetable broth or 4 cups water mixed with 2 to 3 teaspoons salt-free all-purpose seasoning blend (such as Frontier or Mrs. Dash)
- 5 to 6 cups coarsely chopped broccoli florets and peeled stems
- 2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
- One 15– to 16-ounce can great northern beans or cannellini, drained and rinsed, or one 12.3-ounce package firm silken tofu
- 1 cup unsweetened rice milk or other unsweetened nondairy milk, plus more as needed
To finish the soup
- 2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill or parsley, or a combination, plus more for garnish
- Juice of 1/2 lemon, or 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice, or to taste
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil, broth, or water in a soup pot and add the onion. Sauté over medium heat until translucent, then add the garlic if desired. Continue to sauté until the onion is golden.
- Add the broth and broccoli. Bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer gently until the broccoli is tender but not overcooked, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beans or tofu and half the green peas. Continue to cook just until everything is nicely heated through.
- The easiest way to puree this soup is to simply insert an immersion blender into the pot and puree until it’s as smooth as you’d like it to be. You can also leave it a bit chunky. If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer the mixture to a regular blender and puree (don’t overprocess!), then transfer back to the soup pot. Add enough nondairy milk to give the soup a medium-thick consistency.
- To finish the soup, add the remaining green peas, the finely chopped broccoli florets, the chopped herbs, and the lemon juice. Stir together, then season with salt and pepper. Cook over very low heat for 5 minutes longer, or until the finely chopped broccoli florets are tender-crisp, then serve.
thevioletfern.com says
My husband and I made this soup and we cannot rave about it enough! So delicious and even more so the next day! Had to thank you. I am so happy to have discovered your blog early in my Veganism. Everything I have made of yours is also truly delicious. And I have a nice collection of Vegan cookbooks thanks to you. Thank you, thankful, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
erinwyso says
So happy you liked! Nava's recipe is great. Thanks for your kind words about the blog and am thrilled that it's been useful to you! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well!
Lynn says
My favorite plant-based dish is pumpkin and bean chili – love it!
vegan4lyfe2012 says
My favorite go-to meal is stir fry. I make a delicious sauce and sometimes I don't even bother serving it over rice. The veggies and sauce are wonderful 🙂 I'd love to win Nava's book! Vegan4lyfe@comcast.net.
Ashley says
My go-to is a stir-fry, because it is quick and easy! Thanks so much for the chance to win. AMMauceri@gmail.com
Jennifer says
I think if I am in a jam I always make stir fry dishes with black bean paste. It makes a salty and complex flavor, and it is a great way to use up whichever veggies are in season.
Andy says
In college, my go-to was a stir-fry. It was just so easy, I didn't have to think about it, and it was cheap (above all else!). Nowadays I'd say my "go-to" is soup as a general category because I make a huge batch on Sunday, portion it out into Mason jars, and it's lunch for the week. It probably doesn't count as a "go-to," though, since I make a point to try a new soup each week.
(andy.luttrell5@gmail.com)
Purnima Barve says
My go-to plant based food is vegetable stew made with cauliflower, tomatoes, green peas, and potatoes, cooked with onions, ginger, garlic, and cilantro. I eat the stew with rice.
Michelle Blanken says
My go-toe are zucchini noodles with pesto or cashew cheeze sauce in the summer and in the winter, baked sweet potato wedges with cinnamon and paprika and sometimes with guacamole or other chunky sauce for dipping. Simple and delicious!
blankenmi@gmail.com
Johanna says
Hmmm, tough question, but I would have to say that fried tempeh with veggies might be my go-to plant-based meal.
johanna@woodbury.org
farmersmarketvegan says
Roasted veggies. Gotta love 'em. ali.seiter@gmail.com.
Magic and Mayhem says
This recipe looks so beautiful but I have a question about the milk. The recipe calls for "rice milk or other non-dairy milk," but I've worked with rice milk enough to know that there's no way it would look like this photo if you used rice milk, as rice milk is so watery. The only "milk" I know of that would give that creamy looking, pure white, thick look when drizzled over the soup is coconut milk or maybe a processed creamer or some sort. Can you tell me what you used for the non-dairy milk? Thanks!
erinwyso says
I blended it with a little extra vegan sour cream I had to provide the contrast.
Magic and Mayhem says
Any kind of soup or stir fry. The recipe is different every time, just depending on what's in the garden or the fridge. 🙂
Kimberly Angel says
My favorite recipe right now is a vegan shepherd's pie. Even my meat eater hubby likes it! Would love to win that cookbook! 🙂 gunnie4659@yahoo.com
thevioletfern.com says
My favorite go to is a quick spicy peanut kale with soba noodles or the crock of beans we make every week – so many possibilities. I just love Vegan cooking! I will try this recipe for sure.
Michelle says
Definitely a refried bean and Spanish rice burrito in a whole wheat tortilla. I could probably eat one every day! michellecrisp25@yahoo.com
Sandy Smith says
Our very fav is White bean, Kale & Sausage Soup/Stew I found many years ago in Cooking Light magazine. The recipe was not vegan (nor was I at the time), but all I had to do was substitute awesome Field Roast Sausage. Everyone, including all meat-eating friends that have had it, LOVE it!
Anonymous says
My favorite Go-To Plant Based dish is a grain or shell pasta with cashew cheese and roasted vegetables – usually broccoli, brussel sprouts, peppers, onions, garlic, seasoned with thyme and sage. Thanks for the great recipe! amelia6097@hotmail.com
sara says
That broccoli soup looks wonderful. We have several go-to dishes, the easiest being pasta with marinara and whatever else we feel like stirring in, kalamata olives, fresh basil, faux parmesan, you name it.
stopanimalabuse says
My favorite plant-based quick dish is tomato soup.
shira says
My fave go-to is brown rice with a green veggie, srirarcha, tamari and nooch!
poorNana says
Making this soup soon! My favorite vegan meal is curried quinoa, chickpeas, and almonds topped with celery and mango chutney.
Ms O'Kane says
My favourite go-to plants-based meal is a bowl – some roasted vegetables, some steamed greens, a bit of grain, maybe some marinated and baked tofu and a delicious sauce.
Diana says
This soup looks so delicious! My favorite easy dish is garbanzo flour rosemary farinata…I can eat it plain, or make "pizza" with it or have it for breakfast. Yum!!
Would love to get more ideas from this cookbook. Thanks for the giveaway
Stephanie Jordan says
My favorite soup is kabocha squash and spinach soup.
drj98@me.com
paula r says
so hard to pick one ( comment about didn't have my name.. ) spabettie lasagna
paula roth says
so hard to pick one, probably spabettie lasagna!
Patti O'Brien says
Lentil Walnut loaf or veggie bolognese with ground seitan! I would LOVE to win this cookbook, it looks wonderful!
Barbara Clark says
Veg mac and cheese, yum. The book looks awesome.
kzcakes says
My go-to favorite is roasted cauliflower with breaded tofu and pesto sauce. Such a combination of comfort foods!
amyangel says
Veggie chili over rice!
Diana @ VeggieNextDoor says
Lentil Loaf 🙂
thespunkyveggie says
For winter:
Quick and dirty Cauliflower Mac Sauce (adapted from Fat Free Vegan) served over Spaghetti Squash.
Or maybe it's Eggplant Misir Wot. Don't make me choose!
Michelle says
My favorite go-to? Kale saute with either beans, veg meat alternative, grains, or potatoes! Yum! Mj1584@yahoo.com!
sweetorangestudio says
Beautiful photography and equally excellent dishes too! I'd love to win this book.
One of my favorites is miso-fermented "fish sticks" with oven roasted potatoes, tartar sauce and coleslaw.
zazazu says
I really love any sort of endive boat. Probably my fave. Or, at least, A fave. 🙂
msred5 at gmail dot com
Sophia says
My favorite go-to dishes are the types that use up all the bits of leftover product in my fridge, like stir-fried veggies with a simple peanut sauce over noodles, or tomato-y quinoa with veggies and olives.
nophie_w-v@hotmail.com
Frances says
Veggie lo mein or "fried" rice depending on if I have leftover pasta or rice on hand crpntrs@hotmail.com
Michelle says
i would love to win a copy of this beautiful book! my fave plant based meal is homemade Dahl over quinoa! gooberific@yahoo.com
Ben says
My favorite go-to plant-based meal is a simple stir fry with whatever veggies are seasonal or on-hand
Natalie Cartledge says
I can be reached via Twitter at @ 1SexyVeganDiva..
Shannon says
Such a beautiful broccoli soup have I never seen! Sounds delicious – would love to win a copy of the book. My go-to plant-based meals are polenta with tomato sauce, or a quick lentil soup!
Hardy Party says
I would love this book, it looks beautiful. sondi.hardy@gmail.com