Meatless Creole Grits
s.a.l.t. sisters sriracha sea salt adds spicy-sweet flavor to this vegetarian main.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Nutty pan-fried hempeh, a soy-free alternative to tempeh, takes the place of shrimp in this Creole-style main, served over creamy whole-grain grits. (If you prefer, you can substitute with tempeh as well.) This recipe is mildly spicy thanks to the sriracha salt, but you can adjust to taste if you prefer a milder dish.
Ingredients
1 bay leaf
1¼ tsp s.a.l.t. sisters Sriracha Salt, divided
3/4 cup polenta
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 6-oz pkg Smiling Hara Smoked Salt and Pepper Hempeh Steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 each green and red bell pepper, sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp dried thyme
1 14.5-oz BPA-free can unsalted diced tomatoes, with juices
Preparation
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups water, bay leaf and ¼ tsp sriracha salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for about 25 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.
2. Meanwhile, prepare hempeh mixture: In a medium sauté pan on medium-high, heat 1 tbsp oil. Add hempeh and sauté, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes; transfer to a plate.
3. Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in pan; add onions, celery and bell peppers and sauté until onions begin to brown, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and sauté until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add tomatoes, ½ cup water and remaining 1 tsp sriracha salt. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Fold hempeh into tomato mixture and cook until heated through, 2 minutes. Serve hempeh mixture over polenta.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 1 cup sauce and 3/4 cup polenta
- Calories 459
- Carbohydrate Content 44 g
- Cholesterol Content 0 mg
- Fat Content 27 g
- Fiber Content 9 g
- Protein Content 15.5 g
- Saturated Fat Content 4 g
- Sodium Content 490 mg
- Sugar Content 5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 14 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 4 g