Vegan Bacon, White Bean, and Spinach Risotto

by eatwoo.com 3 June 2019, 03:22 1.2k Views

Vegan Bacon, White Bean, and Spinach Risotto

Vegan Bacon, White Bean, and Spinach Risotto: The mere fact that we have risotto recipes in a book about saving money is going to confuse and upset some people. Arborio rice, the rice most commonly used for risotto, is often the most expensive rice on the shelf. It can cost 50 to 80 cents more per pound than its brown or jasmine peers—when you buy it prepackaged, that is. But in the bulk section, it’s often only 15 cents more per pound, and can provide you with a grain-based dish that’s both filling and fabulous. It makes a lovely little date-night-at-home meal that we can enjoy with wine; plus, the leftovers reheat well, so I can spend my Saturdays doing more important things than making lunch—like baking cookies.

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

$1.87 PER SERVING

Ingredients for Vegan Bacon, White Bean, and Spinach Risotto recipe

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, diced
1½ cups Arborio rice
1 cup white wine
4½ cups vegetable broth or vegan chicken broth (we recommend Better Than Bouillon)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon vegan liquid smoke
1 clove garlic, minced
Pinch of celery seed
2 teaspoons crushed rosemary
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
½ cup baby spinach leaves
⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, or 1½ cups cooked dry cannellini beans
¼ cup vegan bacon bits

How to make Vegan Bacon, White Bean, and Spinach Risotto ?

In a Dutch oven or large soup pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and rice and cook until the onion is tender and the rice begins to look translucent on the outside.

Stir in the wine and let it cook, stirring continuously, until it has been absorbed by the rice. Add ½ cup of the broth, the garlic powder, onion powder, and vegan liquid smoke and cook, stirring, until the broth has been absorbed. Stir in 1 cup broth, the garlic, celery seed, and rosemary and continue to stir until the broth has been absorbed.

Keep adding the broth 1 cup at a time, letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next and stirring continuously. When you get to the last cup, stir in the nutritional yeast, spinach, parsley, and beans.

Once the rice is tender and the spinach has wilted, you’re ready to eat!

Serve hot, with some vegan bacon bits over the top.

VEGAN BACON BITS

Some people are shocked to find out Bac-Os are vegan. In fact, most bacon bits at your local grocery store are just textured vegetable protein (or TVP), salt, and liquid smoke—which makes them great for adding a smoky, savory crunch to green salads, baked potatoes, pasta salads, and grilled vegan cheese sandwiches. If you’re looking for other recipes for your leftover bacon bits, check out the Buffalo Cauliflower Calzones with Vegan Bacon Ranch Dipping Sauce, Brinner Lasagna, or Chef’s Pasta Salad.