Vegan Lima Bean Shakshuka

Shakshuka, possibly meaning “all mixed up” in Arabic, is traditionally in the US considered to be tomatoes, bell peppers, eggs and feta [citation needed]. But given the (very briefly researched) word origin, I’m mixing it up.

One of my problems with the “traditional” shakshuka, which I still love, is that the eggs don’t save well. So I wanted to find a way to make the delicious base but make it more leftover-friendly.

For this, you can leave out the eggs, because the large white lima beans provide the necessary texture and protein to make this more than a tomato soup.

Vegan Lima Bean Shakshuka

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Bean Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 45 minutes
Course: Brunch, Dinner
Cuisine: California, Middle Eastern
Keyword: Dry Beans
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 479kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Ingredients

Beans

  • ½ lb dry lima beans
  • bean spices (bay leaf, red pepper, peppercorns, a little salt, celery stalks, garlic cloves)

Main Dish

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 28 oz fire roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes finely diced
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper small diced
  • 2 large red bell pepper chopped
  • ½ bunch cilantro thick stems removed then chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper

Optional

  • 4 large eggs

Instructions

Beans

  • I think white lima beans do best in a slow cooker, or slowly cooked in some method. My method is to rinse the beans, add to a slow cooker with 2 quarts water, some salt, and various bean spices (in a bag or tea steeper, except for large items like celery and bay leaves).
    ½ lb dry lima beans, bean spices (bay leaf, red pepper, peppercorns, a little salt, celery stalks, garlic cloves)
  • Set to high and cook for 3-8 hours, depending on the age of beans, the amount of salt, what your slow cooker considers "high" and various other variables.
  • When the beans are soft and creamy, remove from heat, remove cooking spices, drain off some of the water (so you have just enough to cover the beans) and add salt so it stops it from cooking further. If you're ready to cook the shakshuka, proceed. Otherwise, store in the fridge until ready to cook.

Shakshuka

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Prep your ingredients as specified above.
  • Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in an ovenproof, wide skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and bell peppers and sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
    1 small yellow onion, 2 large red bell pepper, 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, another minute or two. Add the sun dried tomatoes and tomato paste and cook until fragrant. Add half of the cilantro and mix well.
    4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, ¼ cup sun dried tomatoes, ½ bunch cilantro
  • Add the tomatoes and jalapeno and sauté for about 5 minutes until everything begins to come together and some of the water is demonstrably cooking off. Add salt and pepper to taste (1 tsp may be too much, leave it a bit undersalted here).
    28 oz fire roasted crushed tomatoes, 1 large jalapeno pepper, 1 tsp salt, Fresh ground black pepper
  • Add the beans and mix well. (Save cooking liquid still.)
  • Carefully place the skillet in the preheated oven, uncovered, and bake for 15 minutes (if the beans are warm) or 20 minutes if the beans were in the fridge. If it gets dry, add some of the bean liquid.
  • [Optional] If you are using the eggs, remove the dish from the oven. Using the back of a spoon, make four pockets in the mixture. Crack an egg into each pocket and lightly salt and pepper the tops of the eggs. Place back in the oven, covered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until the eggs are set. (Less time if you like runny eggs.] Remove and keep covered for 5-10 minutes, or serve immediately if you like runny eggs.
    4 large eggs
  • Garnish with remaining cilantro and serve right from the skillet.
    ½ bunch cilantro

Notes

Nutrition facts include the eggs. It would decrease the calories by about 70/serving, and fat and protein by ~5g/serving, and remove all cholesterol.

Nutrition

Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 978mg | Potassium: 2129mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 3491IU | Vitamin C: 133mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 9mg
Nutrition Facts
Vegan Lima Bean Shakshuka
Amount Per Serving
Calories 479 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 186mg62%
Sodium 978mg43%
Potassium 2129mg61%
Carbohydrates 63g21%
Fiber 18g75%
Sugar 21g23%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 3491IU70%
Vitamin C 133mg161%
Calcium 167mg17%
Iron 9mg50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Stovetop Popcorn

Oil Options

  • Canola oil: neutral taste; tolerates high heat; goes with nearly any topping
  • Olive oil: familiar and typically light flavor; tolerates medium-high heat; goes with most toppings
  • Sesame oil: stronger taste that adds a unique flavor; tolerates high heat; coordinate with toppings
  • Coconut oil: traditionally used by movie theaters, but I’ve never tried it; tolerates high heat
  • Other oils: can be fun to experiment; oils with a high smoke point are best

Topping Options

The best part of homemade, stovetop popcorn is your toppings options are only limited by your tolerance for experimentation. Also, you and whoever you are enjoying this with can each add your own favorite topping, for a custom experience. Here are some options, but don’t feel limited by this.

  • Salt, especially if you have a seasoned salt, like a smoked salt or chili-lime salt
  • Melted butter and salt, for that classic movie-theater experience
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Zaatar (my husband’s favorite)
  • Salt, smoked paprika, pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder (my favorite, requires a spoon to eat)
  • Sweet drizzle: honey (1 tbsp), melted butter (2 tbsp), and cinnamon (1/4 tsp); mix together, then drizzle on top
  • Dulse (or other seaweed flakes / nori), and consider adding sesame seeds
  • Nutritional yeast (which I like sometimes, but not frequently)

Stovetop Popcorn

Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American, Mesoamerican
Keyword: Basics
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 201kcal

Equipment

  • Large saucepot or other large (>6 quart) lidded pot, preferably one with a heavy bottom

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tbsp oil

Instructions

  • Add the 2 tbsp oil to a heavy-bottomed pot. Place just three popcorn kernels in the pot. Cover and heat over medium heat. After a few minutes, the kernels will pop, which is how you know the pot and oil is preheated.
    2 tbsp oil
  • Once you hear the kernels pop, turn off the heat and remove the pot from the burner. Add all of the remaining kernels of popcorn and cover the pot again with the lid. (No need to remove the popped kernels.) Gently shake and toss the pot for 10 seconds or so, the coat the kernels in the warmed oil.
    ¼ cup popcorn kernels
  • Wait 30-45 seconds – this is an important step in preheating the added kernels. Then place the pot back on the stove and turn the heat to medium. After another 2-5 minutes, the kernels will start popping.
  • Once they start popping, it will be done popping in 30-90 seconds. During that time:
    Gently shake the pot 2-3 times, while keeping it on/near the heat.
    Carefully lift one side of the lid to allow steam to escape. This step, done carefully, will lead to a crispier, better popcorn. But be careful, because the little popcorns come rocketing out with some force, so you want to tip the lid open just enough to allow a tiny bit of steam to get out.
  • Once you don’t hear popping for a few seconds, remove from heat and divide into large serving bowls. Immediately add your favorite topping (see reverse), toss well, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Facts
Stovetop Popcorn
Amount Per Serving
Calories 201 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 1g
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 56mg2%
Carbohydrates 15g5%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Calcium 1mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Lunch: Black Beans, Farro, Tofu and Cilantro

Lunch: Black Beans, Farro, Tofu and Cilantro

A simple meal for meal-prepped lunch
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: California
Keyword: Dry Beans, Farro, Leftovers
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 608kcal

Equipment

  • 8 large (~6 cup) containers

Ingredients

Beans

  • 1 lb black beans
  • 1 small red onion
  • 3 oz chipotle in adobo
  • ½ tsp salt

Farro

  • 1½ cups pearled farro
  • 4½ cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Walnut-Cilantro Paste

  • 2 cups walnuts
  • 1 small serrano pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ bunch cilantro
  • ½ tsp salt

Chipotle Tofu

  • 20 oz firm tofu Hodo Soy preferred
  • 3 oz chipotle in adobo cubed
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small lime juiced
  • 1 tsp oregano

Sides

  • 3 large green bell peppers

Instructions

Chipotle Tofu

  • Mix together the marinade ingredients. Add the cubed tofu. Set aside for a few hours, if possible.
    20 oz firm tofu, 3 oz chipotle in adobo, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 small lime, 1 tsp oregano

Beans

  • Soak the black beans in 1% salted water for about 6-8 hours, ideally. (Or skip this step and just rinse the beans and increase cooking time.)
    1 lb black beans
  • In a pressure cooker (electric or stovetop), turn on the heat (turn on saute) and add the chopped red onion, the chipotle in adobo and a few pinches of salt. Cook until it has softened and developed some color and aroma.
    1 small red onion, 3 oz chipotle in adobo, ½ tsp salt
  • Add the soaked (or just rinsed) beans and ~2 quarts of water. If unsoaked, add more water; if soaked long enough, you may be able to use less water. If fully soaked, cook under high pressure for 4-6 minutes; if unsoaked, cook under high pressure for 24-28 minutes. Allow pressure to release for 25 minutes. Drain beans, salt lightly, and set aside.

Chipotle Tofu

  • Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Place the marinated tofu in a ceramic baking dish. Once oven is pre-heated, bake tofu for 40 minutes.

Farro

  • Rinse the farro and drain well. Add to a large saucepot and turn to medium-high heat. Allow farro to burn off the water and start to toast in the pot.
    1½ cups pearled farro
  • Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for about 25 minutes, until cooked.
    4½ cups vegetable broth
  • Drain and add back to the pot, mixing with 2 tbsp olive oil.
    2 tbsp olive oil

Walnut-Cilantro Paste

  • Toast the walnuts (optional). Add the walnuts, serrano pepper, olive oil, cilantro and salt to a small food processor. Blend until you get a paste.
    2 cups walnuts, 1 small serrano pepper, ¼ cup olive oil, ½ bunch cilantro, ½ tsp salt

Assembly

  • Once all ingredients are ready, add to the small containers in roughly equal proportions, starting with farro and beans, then the cilantro paste, then the olives and bell pepper slices.
    3 large green bell peppers

Notes

Makes 8 servings

Nutrition

Calories: 608kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1100mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1646IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 5mg
Nutrition Facts
Lunch: Black Beans, Farro, Tofu and Cilantro
Amount Per Serving
Calories 608 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Sodium 1100mg48%
Potassium 589mg17%
Carbohydrates 59g20%
Fiber 17g71%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 20g40%
Vitamin A 1646IU33%
Vitamin C 54mg65%
Calcium 165mg17%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.