| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 349 | 15g | 3g | 37g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 14g | 7g | 22g | 1.45g |
Why I Love Colombian Skewered Vegan Meat and Vegetables
Among the corn fields and cattle of my Nebraska home, I found an unexpected culinary delight that took my cooking to new horizons; a special Colombian recipe, the Skewered Vegan Meat and Vegetables. Now, it’s common knowledge that Midwestern fare traditionally swings more towards hearty meats and farm-fresh produce. However, cooking transcends boundaries and sometimes, you stumble upon a recipe that compels you to rethink your culinary traditions. This dish was one of those recipes.
Bringing South American flavors to the Heartland
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room – vegan meat. As a born and bred Nebraskan, the concept seemed alien initially. But with the increasing demand for hearty vegan dishes, I was intrigued enough to give it a shot. And boy, am I glad I did! These vegan meat substitutes hold their own in terms of texture and taste – something even a staunch meat eater would appreciate.
The sheer vibrancy of the skewered vegetables – bell peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes and zucchinis – bring to mind the colorful farmer’s markets back home. The sweetness of the pineapple chunks provide a pleasant contrast to the robust flavors of the vegan meat, while a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of minced garlic add depth to this colorful dish.
A nod to Colombian flavors
What sets this Skewered Vegan Meat and Vegetables recipe apart are the aromatic spices used. A blend of cumin, turmeric, and paprika adds a hearty warmth to the dish, much like the traditional chimichurri sauce I learned to make attending a cooking class with chef Jose Garces. His passion for Latin American cuisine inspired me to experiment with these flavors more in my own kitchen. Finally, a garnish of fresh cilantro adds the finishing touch, elevating this seemingly simple dish into a gastronomical delight.
So there you have it, my take on the flavorsome Colombian dish of Skewered Vegan Meat and Vegetables. A testament to the fact that culinary exploration often leads you to recreating foreign flavors right in your very own kitchen. And who knows? Perhaps one of these days, a vegan meat dish might just become a part of the Midwestern cookery repertoire!
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 pounds of vegan meat substitute
- 2 large bell peppers, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 large red onions, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1.5 cups of cherry tomatoes
- 2 large zucchinis, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 12 wooden or metal skewers
- 1.5 cups of pineapple chunks
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of cumin
- 2 teaspoons of turmeric
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Method
Step One
Start by prepping all your vegetables – chop your bell peppers and red onions into 1-inch pieces, slice your zucchinis into 1/2-inch rounds, and set aside your cherry tomatoes and pineapple chunks. Also, have your vegan meat substitute on hand, cut into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
Step Two
Next, prepare your marinade. Combine the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, turmeric, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Whisk well to ensure all the ingredients are properly blended together.
Step Three
Add the vegan meat substitute and the prepared vegetables to the marinade. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated. Ideally, let this marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to soak up all the flavours. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes of marinating can make a difference.
Step Four
Once everything is well-marinated, start assembling your skewers. Thread the vegan meat and vegetables onto the skewers in any order you like. However, try and ensure there’s a good mix of colours and textures on each skewer.
Step Five
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Once it’s hot, place the skewers on the grill. Cook them for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the vegetables are tender and the vegan meat is heated through.
Step Six
Remove the skewers from the grill. Let them rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro if you wish. Serve your delicious Skewered Vegan Meat and Vegetables while still warm and enjoy!
