Broccoli Rising and Bright Monday*
*It’s the opposite of Black Friday. Get it?
How was your Thanksgiving? I so wanted you to have a fabulous one, and a meaningful one too (I tend to be big on meaning). Luddite or optimist that I am, I continue to treat Thanksgiving as a holiday to gather those we love and remember to give thanks for what we have. Now it feels eclipsed by the retail frenzy known as Black Friday, which somehow starts before Thanksgiving even begins.
Buying for the sake of buying might have become a holiday tradition, but it doesn’t make sense, and worse, contributes to climate change. Take it from Pope Francis. In his “Laudate Deum,” he takes Western consumerism to task for causing high greenhouse gas emissions. Each one of us generates twice the GHG emissions as people in China and seven times more than the average in poor developing nations, which suffer from the brunt of our tendency to buy, buy, buy.
Look, I love a deal. And if you’ve been saving up for months to get something special for someone you love, that’s one thing. But how much stuff do we actually need? All I want for Christmas:
Peace in Gaza and Israel.
Peace in the Ukraine.
For citizens and governments to boot out corrupt leaders.
Addressing climate change head-on. This one’s doable, folks. Go vegan.
Closer to home, I want some ailing people and animals I love to heal.
If there’s a BOGO on any of that, honey, I want it.
Your donation can make a world of difference. If you have a favorite cause, this is a good time to show your support. Need some ideas? I’m glad to share these three nonprofits from big-hearted New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.
I’m not a total Scrooge. To quote Little Women, “Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents.” A thoughtful little prezzie can make spirits bright, and honey, we need some brightening. So behold my Bright Monday curated list of stocking stuffery sorts of things. I’m no one’s paid influencer (if only), I’m just sharing some personal favorites. They’ll enhance the life and lunch of people on your holiday gift list without draining your bank account:
Heirloom beans from Rancho Gordo. Heirloom beans really do taste better, cook up creamier and, being heirlooms, support biodiversity.
Clever tea is a cup of tea that knows how to fix whatever ails you. Okay, I got the idea from Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked, but I love the clever teas from Smith Tea.
I like clever wine, too, wines grown sustainably and without odd additives. I like clever wine, too, wines grown sustainably and without odd additives. For that, you want Vegan Wines.
Favalicious Nuttee Beans are munchy, crunchy, salty, snacky vegan and gluten-free, minimally processed and made with whole fava beans.
Special discount code: favalicious gets you beans for fewer bucks.
Heray Spice – Luxe saffron and other spices sustainably grown and ethically sourced.
Flaky, buttery croissants, crispy, lighter-than-air macarons, madeleines to make Proust swoon with pleasure — L’Artisane delivers all that and more vegan magic.
Catalyst Creamery vegan cheeses are cultured and umami with amazing structure and rich mouthfeel. These are real cheeses, people, just without the cow.
Posh, plantbased Eleven Madison’s new Home collection offers goodies including the dynamite duo of Olio Piro and Bonini Balsamico.
Substack subscriptions! No paper to further tax the environment, and a menu of marvels to choose from including:
Jeremiah Tower’s Out of the Oven
and ahem, Broccoli Rising
.If you’re looking at this list and feeling a sense of panic, may I suggest a one-on-one private conscious cooking class, you and me together in the kitchen (virtually). Message me here or email ellen@soulfulvegan.com.
And because it’s me, here’s something for nothing, just for you:
Red Lentil Soup with Spinach, Mint and Pepita Pesto
For the red lentil soup:
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 small onion minced
1 cup red lentils picked over and rinsed
2 tablespoons chickpea flour lupin flour or whole wheat flour
8 cups vegetable broth
1 pinch saffron
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 pinch red pepper flakes
2 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons quinoa or millet
sea salt to taste plus extra chopped spinach and mint leaves for serving
For spinach, mint and pepita pesto:
1 cup fresh mint leaves
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/4 cup pepitas pumpkin seeds, toasted and cooled
2 cloves garlic
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
sea salt to taste
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the minced onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the vegetables start to soften and turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
Pour in the red lentils and stir, so they get the luster from the oil, then the bean or whole flour. Give everything a quick stir so the mixture forms a paste.
Pour in the vegetable broth. Stir in till everything coalesces and becomes smooth. Heat to a gentle boil. Add the pinch of saffron, which needs to bloom in hot liquid, then stir in the tomato paste, paprika, pepper flakes and quinoa or millet.
Stir occasionally until soup returns to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium. Let it cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Soup will have thickened and turned creamy.
To make the pesto, whiz the mint, spinach, pepitas and garlic together in a food processor until they form a bright green paste. With the food processor motor running, pour in the olive oil and lemon juice. You’re done. Season to taste with sea salt.
To serve, place a handful of chopped spinach and mint leaves at the bottom of each soup bowl. Ladle in the hot lentil soup. Top with a dollop of pesto.
It’s quick and easy to make, comforting and delicious to eat, plantbased and brimming with folate, fiber, zinc, magnesium and more nutrients to brighten your mood and power you through the holiday season.
Looking for a printable version of this recipe? Grab it here.
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