New varieties of plant-based meats are constantly appearing on grocery store shelves. Vegan sausages are one of my favourite products so far. Plant-based meat is practical, fast, and delicious. In short, “It does the job,” as my father used to say.
In this paella recipe, I also add nori, the type of seaweed used to make sushi. Along with the vegan sausage, it creates the surf ‘n’ turf flavour that makes paella so delicious.
Prep Time – 40 minutes
Cook Time – 65 minutes
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
- 6 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
- 4 spicy vegan sausages
- 2 portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, minced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 can hearts of palm, drained, rinsed, and sliced into rounds
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 sheet nori, minced
- 1⁄2 cup dry white wine
- 2 1⁄2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 1⁄2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1⁄4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1⁄2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1⁄4 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1⁄4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 generous pinch saffron threads
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat half of the oil. Add the sausages and cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the sausages from the pot, slice into rounds, and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat the remaining oil, then add the mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper, and cook for 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the hearts of palm, garlic, and nori, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients, except the reserved sausages and the garnishes, and return to a boil. Transfer the mixture to a 10 x 15-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Arrange the sausage rounds over the paella and bake for 15 minutes.
- Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley.
Nutrition facts per serving
Calories 330; protein 11 g; fat 27 g; carbs 30 g.
Excerpted from The Buddhist Chef’s Homestyle Cooking by Jean-Philippe Cyr. Copyright © 2023 Jean-Philippe Photographs by Dominique Lafond Cyr. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.
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