Gumbo with Wild Rice, Baked BBQ Black Eyed Peas and Jalapeño Onion Cornbread

I've been craving soul food lately and there's really only one place that I know of that serves vegan soul food called Stuff I Eat. The only problem is their food runs at about $18 a person. It comes with a little more than I made but still, I am not about to drop that much on food when I can just make it myself. I chose Gumbo because I have never ate it before and was curious about how it tasted. I know there's no seafood, so it probably doesn't taste exactly like the traditional version but in my opinion, the vegan version I made was just as good. I love soups where I can add many different types of greens (especially cabbage mmm).

The baked beans were also really good, with a hint of spiciness, thanks to the cayenne. Molasses can be substituted for the agave nectar and would add a little more flavor. The cornbread was exactly what I made two days ago but this time I took the advice of what most of you said and added jalapeños. It does give it a little extra something...making it look so much nicer and adding another flavor than just corn. Thank everyone for the suggestion! : ]

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Gumbo With Wild Rice
Serves 6 to 8


Ingredients
* 3 Tb olive oil or vegetable oil
* 3 Tb flour
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 3 Tb chopped green onions
* 1/2 Tb chopped garlic
* 2 to 3 small bay leaves
* 3 quarts vegetable stock
* 1 cup wild rice
* Salt
* Cayenne, to taste
* Pinch ground thyme
* 2 pounds mixed greens (1/2 pound each spinach, collard greens, turnip
greens and cabbage leaves), tough stems removed and coarsely chopped
* Up to 2 Tb all-purpose flour, as a thickening agent, optional

Directions
1. Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add the flour, stirring until toasted and peanut butter colored, about 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the onion, green onion, and garlic, cooking until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the bay leaves, stock, wild rice, 1 teaspoon salt, cayenne to taste, and thyme.

3. Bring to a boil, add greens, a handful at a time, stirring until wilted before adding next bunch. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Taste and adjust seasoning—greens should be tender and slightly spicy; add enough salt to enhance flavors. Wild rice should be tender and puffed.

4. To thicken, have gumbo bubbling gently and stir in 1 tablespoon flour, that is mixed a little with cold water. Add more flour if a thicker consistency is desired.



Baked BBQ Black Eyed Peas
Serves 4 to 6


Ingredients
* 1 1/2 cups dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
* 1 3-inch piece kombu (dried kelp)
* 3 Tb plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
* 1/2 cup diced onions
* 1 cup diced red or green bell pepper
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 Tb red wine vinegar
* 2 Tb lime juice
* 1/4 cup tamari
* 1 cup canned tomato sauce
* 1 chipotle in adobo sauce
* 1/2 cup agave nectar
* 1 Tb ground cumin
* 1 tsp dried thyme
* 1/8 tsp cayenne

Directions
1. Drain the black-eyed peas. Combine beans with kombu and fresh water to cover in a
medium pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat, skimming off any foam. Reduce heat to
maintain a simmer, and cook until tender, about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Drain, reserving cooking water. Discard kombu. Or if you're short on time, a 15 ounce can of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed will work too. Instead of using the cooking water, plain water can be used.

2. Heat two tsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and bell pepper. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes, until fragrant. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a blender, combine the vinegar, lime juice, tamari, tomato sauce, chipotle, agave nectar, spices, 1 cup of the reserved bean cooking water and the remaining olive oil. Puree until smooth.

3. In a 2-quart baking dish, combine the black-eyed peas, sautéed vegetables, and sauce. Stir well. Bake uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve at room temperature.



Jalapeño Onion Corn Bread
Makes 8 Big Slices


Ingredients
* 2 cups plain soy milk
* 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
* 2 cups cornmeal
* 1 cup corn flour, or masa harina, or all-purpose flour (I've notice that corn flour or masa harina gives the corn bread a stronger corn taste than just adding plain flour)
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/3 cup oil

For the Topping
* 1 Tb canola oil
* 1 medium size yellow onion, sliced into 1 x 1/2 inch slices
* 3 jalapenos
* 1/4 tsp salt

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

2. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Saute the onion and jalapeno in oil for about 5 minutes, until the onions are softened. Add the salt and mix well. Transfer to a bowl. Don't wash the pan; you'll pour the batter right into it in a bit.

3. Combine the soy milk and vinegar in a measuring cup and set aside to curdle as you prepare everything else.

4. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the soy milk mixture and oil. Use a wooden spoon to mix together until just combined; some lumps are okay.

5. Pour the batter into prepared cast-iron skillet. Scatter the topping over the batter in the pan. Bake for 30 to 32 minutes, until a toothpick or butter knife inserted through the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool just a bit before serving.