I made my way to Whole Foods today to get the ingredient I couldn’t find in town (adzuki beans), and so I made another recipe from my list – Adzuki Beans & Winter Squash Saute from Vegan Planet.
I had my doubts about how good a recipe like this would be, as there were only six ingredients, one being water. But I wanted to try adzuki beans, and it seemed like a nice, simple way to introduce myself. I’m glad I tried this recipe. The tamari and shallots did something magical to the carnival squash, and the adzuki beans were a nice complement. I’m not in love with the beans after my first try, but they’re tasty enough. It was my first time trying a carnival squash too, it tasted kind of like acorn squash.
Plain steamed brussels sprouts on the side. I normally roast my brussels, but bf and I had like four kitchen projects going on at the same time and the oven was occupied. I had planned to make brown rice to go along as well but I didn’t remember until it was much too late, so I took a cue from Katie at Chocolate Covered Vegan and made savory oat bran. It’s good! I treated it like I do grits, adding a bit of earth balance, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper and parsley. It kind of tasted like grits. Oaty grits.
A lot of people say the same thing about Vegan Planet, that it’s such a big cookbook that they rarely actually make anything out of it. I say take a look and give it a try! I’ve made six recipes from VP now, and they were all excellent. I’ll surely be digging through for more recipes to try soon.
Vegan Homemade 
mihl said
This looks like a nice meal! I love everything beans.
lisa (show me vegan) said
I like Vegan Planet too! I love the Asian Peanut Noodles – the best peanut sauce recipe I’ve tried.
Alice (in Veganland) said
I haven’t made adzuki beans in a while, but I found them quite good last time! The recipe sounds great.
VeggieGirl said
Simple recipes/meals are the best!! 🙂
Bianca- Vegan Crunk said
Yup. That’s exactly what I was gonna say about Vegan Planet. I love it, but I’m a little intimidated by the size of it. Over the years, I’ve made quite a few recipes from it, but I rarely peruse it for fun like I do the VCon or VwaV. I have seen this adzuki bean recipe though and since I haven’t tried them either, I’ve briefly considered it. Maybe now’s the time for me to finally try it…I do have a few butternut squash waiting to be consumed.
Aimee said
I recently bought some rice grits (it’s intended as a hot cereal) and I’ve found myself making it as a savory side dish for those times when I don’t have time to make rice. It’s pretty good! I’ll have to try it with the oat bran sometime!
melisser said
I need to make more from Vegan Planet. I have some dry adzukis.. hmm.
Nikki said
I’m always thrilled to see brissels sprouts in any meal. And I love adzuki beans. I especially like them in Japanese candy!
Nikki said
Did I type BRISSELS instead of Brussels? Good heavens.
kate said
Looks awesome! I have to try making that oat bran.
chocolatecoveredvegan said
Aww, thanks for the shout-out. And the Adzuki-bean dish looks superb!