ONE POT VEGAN ZUPPA TOSCANA with Beyond Sausage & TVP Bac'n Bits

When my daughter came home during the pandemic, I made a lot her favorites; this soup sits at the top of her list. I made my own TVP bac'n bits(recipe included ). If you don't want to make the bac'n bits yourself, most store bought bacon bits are accidentally vegan. I used coconut milk and promise there is no coconut taste whatsoever. White wine optional but it adds depth of flavor. Yum.

INGREDIENTS

4 Italian Beyond sausage links

1/8-1/4 tsp red chili flakes

1 yellow onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/3 cup white wine (optional)

4 cups vegan broth(chick'n flavored)

2 cups water

2 lb russet potatoes, cubed

1.5 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper

1 bunch kale, destemmed & chopped

1 can coconut milk

1 Tbsp arrowroot powder (or 1.5 Tbsp cornstarch)

TVP bac'n bits (recipe below)

Vegan Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, brown sausage in 1 Tbsp olive oil, breaking up as it cooks, approximately 5 minutes. Add chili pepper flakes during last 1 minute of cooking. Remove from pot, and set aside.

2. Saute onion in a little more oil until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add Italian seasonings and cook for 30 seconds to release aromatics. Add white wine if using and cook until alcohol dissipates, approximately 2 minutes, scraping browned bits from bottom of pot.

3. Add broth, water, potatoes, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat to medium low and cook until potatoes tender, approximately 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Stir in kale and continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes

5. Wisk together coconut milk with arrowroot powder. Stir into soup and continue to cook until heated through and thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Return Beyond sausage to pot. Stir. Serve soup topped with TVP bac'n bits and grated vegan parmesan.

TVP BACON BITS

1/2 cup TVP(textured vegetable protein)

2 Tbsp tamari

1 Tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp liquid smoke

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 225°F

2. Combine ingredients except TVP in a small pot. Bring to boil. Remove from heat and stir in TVP until well saturated.

3. Bake on parchment paper lined baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Once cooled, store refrigerated in covered jar