Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup

Looking for a new recipe to add to your meal prep rotation? Make this flavorful soup in advance and enjoy it for lunches or dinners all week long! It’s fabulous the next day (because all those spices have a chance to mingle together), and it freezes well, too!

Vegetarian Lentil Tortilla Soup
Crock Pot Recipe (8-10 servings)

Ingredients

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 15 oz can diced tomato, with liquid
• 1 cup mild salsa
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 15 oz can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 15 oz can pinto beans, drained & rinsed
• 15 oz can corn, drained
• 3/4 cup dried lentils
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional) - Feel free to use cream cheese or cashew cream in place of the heavy cream. Or skip the cream altogether! This recipe can be made without it, as seen in the photo above. Let your dietary preference(s) be your guide!

Directions

1. Add all ingredients, except heavy cream, to slow cooker.
2. Cook on high 4-6 hours or low 7-8 hours, until dried lentils are cooked through and veggies are tender.
3. If using cream, stir in just before serving.
4. Ladle soup into bowls and add all your favorite toppings to individual servings. Dig in and enjoy!

Topping Suggestions

• shredded cheese
• sour cream
• sliced green onions
• fresh cilantro
• chopped red onion
• sliced black olives
• diced avocado
• crushed tortilla chips

Recipe adapted from Peas and Crayons.

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Craving comfort food? This warm, oven-baked dip has all the makings of its traditional counterpart (think: ooey-gooey, creamy goodness) without any of the dairy!

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Yield: small baking dish

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water at least 2 hours
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 8 oz bag frozen spinach, thawed & drained
• 13.75 oz can artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
• 7.1 oz package Daiya mozzarella style shreds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease small baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Saute onion in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and tender. Place onions in mixing bowl with minced garlic, spinach, artichokes, and Daiya shreds; set aside.
3. Drain water from cashews. In high powered blender (such as Nutri Ninja), combine cashews, milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. (This sauce is delicious on its own, almost like alfredo for gluten free pasta... just a suggestion!) Pour sauce over veggies in mixing bowl and stir to combine.
4. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Bake on center rack for 25-30 minutes, or until dip begins to brown and is mostly set.
5. Remove dip from oven and serve immediately with your choice of crackers, tortilla chips, chopped veggies, or other dippers!

Recipe adapted from Simply Quinoa.