Ingredients

  • 2 cups white rice
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 round tomatoes chopped
  • packet of mushrooms chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 bell peppers chopped
  • 4 celery sticks chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and chopped
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp of thyme
  • 1 tsp cayenne powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ~4 to 5 cups of veggie stock
  • hot sauce
  • "meat" is tofu, can of chickpeas drained and rinsed, and soy chorizo

Method

  • First saute the onions, celery, and bell peppers in a pot with the vegetable oil. Cook till the onions are translucent.
  • In a separate pan it's time to cook the "meat". Cook the soy chorizo alongside the drained and rinsed chickpeas and the tofu ( I recommend double freezing the tofu but if pressed for time pressed tofu can still work). Add some more oil as needed also hot sauce and cayenne for flavor. Once the "meat" is to your liking set aside for later.
  • Add the mushrooms, carrots and tomatoes to onion, celery, and bell peppers. During this step add the bay leaves and thyme into the pot.
  • Once everything soft add the rice and veggie stock. Start adding the cayenne powder, onion powder, pepper, tomato sauce and hot sauce. Mix well and taste the liquid, if more spices are needed add them now.
  • Bring to bubbling and lower heat to simmer.
  • Add in the "meat" from earlier and cook covered. If you need to add more liquid add some veggie stock or water as you see fit.
  • Let cook for around 30 minutes or till rice is cooked. Let rest then eat.

Notes and Suggestions

  • The double frozen method for tofu is great but does take time. You will need medium firm tofu. Freeze it then thaw, press, freeze and thaw once more you should achieve something akin to chicken in texture.
  • Tasting the liquid the rice is cooked in is a good way to know how the rice will end up so do so when possible
  • Remember to get the bay leaves out in the end
  • This can easily feed a family of 5 or more so plan accordingly when storing it for later.
  • The hot sauce can vary based on your preferences so add as little or as much as you like.
  • Hope everyone likes this this is my 3 attempt at making this and so far like the results.