Right now, I'm all about doing things that are good for my soul.
I recently went back up to San Jose to go to the wedding of a dear friend of mine from high school. I had to get up very early in the morning to drive six hours and be there in time for the ceremony. About halfway there, I realized I'd left an hour too late. I stressed the entire way there and ended up getting dressed in a gas station bathroom so I could get to the ceremony on time. As soon as I got out of my car, one of my best friends ran to give me a hug. Everything just melted away and it felt damn good to be back with my friends.
The reception was in the evening and I spent the whole time with friends that I grew up with, some who know me better than my own family. We caught up with each other, we laughed, we spent too much time (not enough time?) playing in the photo booth. At the end of the night, Chris (who'd had to work that day) flew up and joined me, looking all handsome and debonair in his suit. We got a late night falafel wrap at Pita Pit and fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the perfectly soft hotel pillows. I woke up feeling like my soul had taken a deep exhale after holding it's breath for a year. I felt completely renewed.
The next day, before driving back to LA, we drove up to San Francisco to visit my grandmother in the hospital. One of my cousins and his wife were there as well and we spent a good couple of hours just chatting. My grandma actually told a dirty joke- And the funny part was that none of us got it (I still don't)! You know that feeling you get when you cry and cry until you can't cry any more and you feel like you've been cleansed? I felt that way when we left, except I had been laughing instead of crying.
Now, I'm focused on making my soul feel the way it did that weekend- completely and utterly refreshed. It comes with doing little things like getting up an hour or two earlier so I can feel the stillness in the morning air. Pushing myself harder in my workout so when I'm done and drenched with sweat, I can confidently tell myself that the hardest part of my day is over. Taking a break to sit on the floor and hug my dog with my entire body.
It includes planning a trip to Europe for two whole weeks and shutting everything off (no computers, no email, no blog, no facebook, no twitter. I can't say there will be no instagram, though...). It includes surrounding ourselves with people who don't speak our language so we can practice shutting up and listening. It includes seeing sights so beautiful they take our breath away. It includes showing Chris where I lived for a small portion of my life and having drinks with old friends. It includes seeing familiar places in a new light through his eyes. It includes a little bit of adventure and creating memories that we'll remind each other of when we get old.
It also includes eating soul-satisfying comfort foods like this BBQ bowl. Did you know that soy curls, drenched in BBQ sauce, were meant to be served with smoky black-eyed peas, corn, kale, and noochy roasted sweet potatoes and topped with ranch dressing? Well, now you know. It's as if every bite of this bowl fills my stomach and replenishes my soul. All the different flavors- sweet, tangy, salty, smoky- they're all there and they all meld together perfectly, creating perfect harmony. If you're looking to comfort your soul, to let it take one giant exhale at the end of the day, look no further than this BBQ bowl.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for at least one hour, reserve the water
- 5 tablespoons reserved water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 bunch kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1-2 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch coins
- olive oil spray
- 1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- few dashes of cinnamon
- a few pinches of coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 a bag of Butler Soy Curls
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha Sauce (or other hot sauce)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (or arrowroot)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 can of black-eyed
- 2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos (or Tamari/Soy Sauce)
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1/8 teaspoon dried sage
- a few dashes of black pepper
- 1 cup corn kernels (preferably fresh but frozen will work as well)
- avocado
Instructions
- Place all ranch dressing ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
- remove the stems from the kale, chop and place in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice and olive oil. Use your hands to massage the lemon juice and olive oil into the kale. Continue this for about five minutes. Once the kale is soft, set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400. Move one of the racks to the top position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the sweet potato "coins" out on the sheet.
- Lightly spray the sweet potatoes with olive oil spray. Sprinkle the nutritional yeast, cinnamon, sugar, salt and pepper over the slices and toss to coat. Place the baking sheet on the top rack and bake for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Once cooked, remove from oven, and cover with aluminum foil until ready to use.
- Once the sweet potatoes are in the oven, cook the soy curls. Combine the barbecue sauce, Sriracha sauce, cumin, paprika, and corn starch in a cup or small bowl and whisk together until smooth. Set aside.
- Lightly spray a large shallow saucepan with olive oil spray and heat over medium heat. Add the soy curls and "brown" them, stirring every couple minutes to prevent sticking. Should they stick, add a little water or vegetable broth to deglaze the pan. Continue this for about 5 minutes.
- Add the barbecue sauce mixture to the soy curls and stir until combined. Lower the hear to low and let cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary.
- In a frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until the onion is slightly translucent. Add the beans, Bragg Liquid Aminos, liquid smoke, and sage and mix to combine. Let cook until most of the liquid has cooked away, stirring occasionally. Once the liquid has cooked away, add a few dashes of black pepper and the corn. Mix to combine and remove from heat.
- Fill the bottom of each bowl with some kale. Add a few of the sweet potato "coins," some of the soy curls, and some of the beans. Drizzle with ranch dressing and top with a few avocado slices. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Happy Vegan MoFo to all of my blogger buddies! I had so hoped to participate this year (I even had a fun theme planned) but seeing as how I'll be out of the country for a good chunk of this month, I didn't think it would be to plausible. I'll be looking forward to catching up on everyone else's MoFo fun when I return. 🙂
What makes your soul feel replenished?
Photography by Chris Miller
Michelle
Have fun were going to Paris for ten days in august... Funny while we're there they are having a big vegan festival... Maybe their first one.
This bowl looks good 🙂
Sarojini
We love meals in a bowl at The Yogi Vegetarian 🙂 do check out are Yogi Veg Bowl if you haven't already. This bowl of yours looks like pure heaven, and so pretty, too- I'll try it out when I get the chance. I find food that really replenishes the soul is any vegan dish that has been made with real love and care- compassion and respect for Nature and thanks to the Creator. You can taste the difference!
Richa
Awesome! have a great time off:) i had a similar feeling when i met most of my fam this year. been so long when we were together, all the hustle bustle, nostalgia, all the fun memories, hugs day and night, and so much food:).
i love this bowl full of flavors. its my kind of food with strong flavor combinations!
Annie
I hope you and Chris have an absolutely magnificent time - drink it ALL IN and come back ready to share.
I'm all over this bowl of comfort - totally the flavors I love. Bon voyage!
Liz
Are you telling me that 'm going to have to try and live my life without Keepin It Kind for TWO weeks?! I'm sorry, I can endure A LOT of sacrifice and hardship but that? It's just too much.
🙂
Have an AWESOME trip! (Is this going to be your first time back to Europe since you left Italy?) Are you gonna take lots of pictures to share with your KIK lovelies? ::crossing my fingers:: 🙂
Jess
I love this post! I know that feeling *exactly*. I lived far away from my best friends for five years. Now I'm back home and living near them, and we're all busy with jobs, families, houses, or whatever, but when we get together (like last night) it's like we can't get enough of each other. We stay up waaaaay too late just laughing, talking, and generally filling up our souls with one another. I love it.
And this meal looks really good, too. 🙂
Jess
Oh and p.s. I wanted to say I love the website's new look! Very sleek and stylish, love the color palette.
Nicole
There's a very good message in this post! I'm glad you're feeding your soul what it needs. The BBQ bowl looks pretty amazing too!
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur
This bowl looks and sounds amazing! I went through a phase of making my own barbecue sauce for a while, and I think you might've just swung be back into it!Barbecue sweet potatoes have to be one of my favorite foods of all time.
Jess Corra
This looks fantastic - don't know whether to make it or the Mexican bowl first! Where do you get soy curls? I've never even looked at our supermarket, but I bet they have them. I'm only just now getting into things besides beans and tofu, like tempeh or seitan. 🙂
Have an absolutely wonderful, rejuvenating trip!
Denise
I've been eyeing them for awhile, but this post finally broke me, and I just placed my very first order for Butler soy curls. Now I'm anxiously waiting for them to arrive. Ah, this bowl looks divine!
Emma
We need that soul food- emotional and physical! Glad you're feeling renewed and ready to make the most of your time away. Have a fabulous time 🙂 Look forward to seeing pics when you get back.
Caitlin
what a great post, kristy. have fun in europe ;0
Kelly @ Vegan Iowan
I think your plan is fantastic. It's too easy to lose sight of what truly makes us happy in a world full of things we "should" be doing. We are on the way home from an impromptu trip right now, and you've inspired me to keep the good feelings - and food - going!
Maria Tadic
This looks like a big bowl of comfort! I just got some nutritional yeast and have been wondering how I can use it - will definitely try those potatoes!
Heather
Beautifully written Kristy, a feeling of inner peace and stillness is the best is it not, so happy that you were able to find this with your friends and family- sometimes routines need to be shaken up a bit to find hidden happiness and I so happy you found yours! I LOVE dinner bowls, this one looks so so so amazing. I also can't wait to hear about your trip 🙂
Lindsay @ VeganYumminess
Ohhh yummmm! I love this...and especially the soy curls. I don't know why. I just think they are like the best invention eva. 🙂
Anna {Herbivore Triathletre}
I've never had soy curls but this bowl makes me want some very badly! This looks awesome and I do so miss Ranch dressing. Have a fabulous time on your trip, I am loving your instagram pics so far!
sarah@thesweetlife
I'm really glad to hear your goals of taking care of yourself. It's a good reminder to me as well. Also the BBQ bowl looks AMAZING. I keep coming back to it just to stare.
Richgail @AstigVegan
I hope your grandma feels better. Enjoy your trip to Europe. Two full weeks? Lucky!
Heather
I've been trying to do the same, Kristy, since this move to Oregon has me all flustered. So sorry to hear your Grandma is in the hospital. I love her; she was always so sweet and welcoming to me when I was a weird little kid. xoxo
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Talk about soul-satisfying! This bowl looks amazing Kristy 🙂
I'm so excited for you and your trip to Europe! I know you will love it. When I went there I felt like I was meant to be European. Something I always think about to this day. I wonder if one day I'll end up there... 😉
Melody
This looks amazing but I have a question about the soy curls. Do you add them to the pan straight out of the bag, still dry, or do you soak them first? I have a bag that's been sitting in my pantry and haven't used them yet so this will be my first try. Thanks!
keepinitkind
You definitely want to soak them first. Just soak them in warm water/vegetable broth for about 10 minutes, drain and cook! Enjoy! 🙂
Cadry
What a wonderful weekend! There is nothing more replenishing than reconnecting with those who loves us most and understand us best. I hope that your Grandma is okay!
This bowl looks fantastic! I love the combination of all of the different contrasting flavors. I recently saw bowls like the one pictured at T.J. Maxx, and I was so tempted!! Sadly, I love bowls so much, and they're one thing I can't justify buying anymore. (Let's just say I have a few of them...) But barbecued Soy Curls and creamy ranch dressing? Well, that needs no justification at all!
kat
uh, about that ranch dressing . . . That Is Some Good Stuff!!! i've been looking for a good vegan ranch for a while. occasionally, i'd find something that looked promising and then i'd get my feelings hurt. not this time.
'scuse me. gotta go make a salad. i'll do the rest of this lovely recipe later.
thanks!
NorthernRaw
Have you tried to make the Ranch Dip with another sweetener or has anyone else on here had a go with another option? Not a fan agave, but this dip looks KILLER! <3
keepinitkind
You could use any liquid sweetener you'd like. I've made it with maple syrup before. 🙂
Anna Lee
I've been looking for a good vegan ranch recipe, and I believe I've found it! This was wonderful! I had half an avocado that needed to be used so I threw it in there too. Fantastic! I can't wait to make this BBQ bowl to go along with it. (:
Kim
Do you have an alternative to soy curls? More beans? Or, maybe, just omit?
keepinitkind
You could use a number of things: tofu, tempeh, seitan, roasted cauliflower, portobello mushrooms, etc. Or just use more beans. 🙂