Vegan St. Patrick's Day Recipes

Here are some vegan St. Patrick's Day recipe ideas. I decided to make traditional cabbage and Irish Soda Bread. I wasn't really in the mood for imitation meat and didn't want anymore carbs, so we made a lentil loaf instead. We were cooking for our families and so there was also the traditional corned beef available for those who wanted it.

If you are cooking all of these recipes at once, I recommend cooking the Irish Soda Bread first and letting it cool so you can use the oven for the lentil loaf. The lentil loaf is best served warm. Also, start the cabbage about 15 minutes before you want to eat. It will be done quickly and is also best served warm.

Irish Soda Bread (From an earlier post)

Ingredients
2 cups of soy milk
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
4 cups plus 2 tsp. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. raw sugar
1 cup raisins

The Irish Soda Bread batter after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. The vinegar and baking soda have a reaction. 

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit.
2.  Whisk the soy milk and apple cider vinegar until the milk becomes foamy. Set aside.
3. Whisk the flour, salt, baking soda, and sugar together.
4. blend the wet and dry ingredients together. The dough will be dry, this is good.
5. Fold in raisins.
6. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes adding the 2 tbsp. of flour.
7. Place the batter in an 8 inch pie tin with parchment paper.
8. Sprinkle with a little flour.
9. Make an X using a serrated knife.
10. Bake for about 50minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
11. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar and let cool for 10 minutes on a rack before eating.

Vegan Lentil Loaf

Inspired by Whole Foods

I was a little nervous about this new lentil loaf recipe. I couldn't understand what would hold it together. It came out really good and it stayed intact. However, if you are cooking this for guests, cut and serve it for them as it is a little delicate. 

Rich and I cooked this meal together for our families.

Ingredients
1 cup lentils
3/4 cup bulgur wheat 
1 large onion
10 ounces cremini mushrooms
1 red bell pepper
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. italian seasoning (equal parts dried rosemary, oregano, thyme, and parsley)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
3/4 cup quick oats
1/2 cup fresh parsley

Rich made me a finely chopped red pepper heart.

Method
1. Bring two cups of water and lentils to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until lentils are soft. 
2. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to boil and add bulgur. Let simmer for about 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  
4. Finely chop onion and sauté on medium heat for about 5 minutes. 
5. Add finely chopped mushrooms and sauté for 5 more minutes. 
6. Add finely chopped red bell pepper and apple cider vinegar. Cook until vinegar is absorbed (about 3-5 minutes). 
7. Mix in spices and dried herbs. 
8. Remove from heat and mix in lentils, bulgur wheat, oats, and fresh parsley. 
9. Place parchment paper in a bread pan. 
10. Add the mixture to the bread pan and pack it down tightly with a spoon. 
11. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour. 
12. Let the loaf sit in the pan and cool for about 20 minutes. This will help it to hold its shape. 
13. Garnish with organic ketchup and parsley. 

St. Patrick's Day Cabbage! 

This is a favorite recipe in our family that my mom has been making forever. It is amazing how good simple cooked cabbage is!

Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large head of cabbage
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Method
1. Heat some olive oil in a pan on medium high heat.
2. Add cabbage and stir every 45 seconds so that pieces are browning but not burning. *You may not be able to fit all of the cabbage at once. That's okay, just add more once the cabbage has cooked down a little or do it in two batches. 
3. After the cabbage has cooked down, add salt, sugar, and black pepper.  
4. Serve warm!