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2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
3 cups canned vegetable broth
1 cup lentils, rinsed
8 ounces sweet potato/es, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces whole baby bella mushrooms, cleaned and cut into quarters
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (grated lemon peel)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 ounces fresh spinach leaves, to (about 8 cups)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
Salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
Add garlic and stir 30 seconds.
Add vegetable broth and lentils; bring to boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Add potatoes and mushrooms; cook covered until potatoes and lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
Add lemon zest, lemon juice, spinach and cayenne pepper to stew.
Cover and simmer stew until spinach wilts and is cooked through, about 2 minutes.
Mix in oregano.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Spoon stew into large soup bowls.

Serves 4

Note: Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Re-warm over low heat before serving. Recipe can be doubled.

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8 – 10 potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
1/2 – 1 1/2 cups plain soy milk (until desired thickness)
1/2 – 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 – 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 – 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 – 2 teaspoons garlic powder
salt and pepper

Put potatoes in a large saucepan, covered with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until soft, 15-20 minutes.
Drain and mash the potatoes in a large bowl.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the potatoes; mixing and tasting to desired flavor and consistency.

Serves 12

Note: Use vegenaise, if you can. It is the real secret to the creamy!

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4 tablespoons nondairy butter
4 carrots, cut into coins
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chopped yellow onions
32 ounce carton vegetable soup stock
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1/2 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
15 ounce can kidney beans, in liquid
15 ounce can chopped tomatoes, or 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1/2 package of frozen spinach
1/2 cup cooked lentils
dashes of: red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, curry, salt and pepper
cooked noodles, optional
vegan Parmesan cheese, optional

Melt butter in a large pot. Add vegetables and saute until beginning to soften. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Lower to simmer.
Cook for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are cooked through, the longer, the better.
Add cooked noodles and vegan Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serves 4,

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1 whole eggplant, peeled and cubed (1″ pieces)
2 – 3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium tomato, diced
1 cup chickpeas

Salad Dressing
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic clove, small diced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped parsley

Whisk together all the dressing ingredients.

Preheat oven to 400°F.

On a baking sheet, fitted with parchment paper, toss eggplant with salt, pepper and olive oil, until evenly coated. Bake about 30-40 minutes, turning once, until eggplant is evenly roasted.
Remove from oven and let cool.
Place eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas in a medium size bowl.
Toss with some of the dressing. Taste to check seasonings.

Serve with warm pita and/or Greek yogurt.

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1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
Pinch cayenne pepper
12 small flour tortillas
1 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine the oil, chili powder and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Brush each tortilla with the oil mixture and stack one on top of another to lightly oil the backside. Cut into wedges, and arrange in a single layer on baking sheets, fitted with parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until crisp and golden brown, 8-10 minutes.

Serves 8

Note: Serve warm from the oven alongside your favorite salsa or dip.