Today I have a featured recipe from the new Plant-Power cookbook by Nava Atlas. I feel I don’t need to introduce Nava, as her work is legendary in the vegan cookery world. For those of you new to the vegan diet, however, let’s get you acquainted!
Nava Atlas is one of the pioneering vegan and vegetarian cookbook authors (check out VegKitchen.com. Nava also writes outside of the cookbook genre, producing visual nonfiction books. She is also an active fine artist, with works shown in museums and universities through the U.S.
Nava’s latest book, Plant-Power is a cookbook lover’s delight! To begin, it is a full-color, hard-cover book, with 125 recipes and 75 food photos throughout. Beyond the recipes, it is also a solid vegan cooking resource with detailed guides on stocking your pantry and fridge, to seasonal cooking, and practical tips for meal preparation.
I often say that eating a plant-powered diet isn’t about what we “give up”… it’s what we GAIN: the new foods we eat, our expanded awareness and practice of compassion, and (usually) our renewed abundant health. Nava expresses this most eloquently with a quote on the back cover:
A switch to a plant-based diet doesn’t mean sacrifice or missing out. We get to revel in and enjoy themost flavorful, colorful, life-enhancing foods available. What I’d like you to take away from these pages is a message of ease, abundance, and pleasure. Cooking with the most healthful (not most exotic or expensive) ingredients nature has to offer is a joy!
Nava delivers this food passion throughout every page in Plant-Power. This book is dived into two main parts, the first focusing on lifestyle tips (ex: benefits of the diet, top myths, stocking a pantry, kitchen tools, meal planning strategies), and the second part devoted to recipes and menus.
The recipe range from stews, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and breakfast to a special “Asian Express” chapter and another on “Tortilla Specialties”. Very nice additions to the usual repertoire of recipes! For those with a fondness for sweets (who’s pointing at me?!), the dessert section is brief, but includes several beautiful fruit and chocolate-based treats.
One of the recipes that really caught my eye is this Quick Quinoa Paella. It combines two of my personal favorite plant-strong foods: quinoa and artichokes! Nava is sharing this recipe with all of you today…
Quick Quinoa Paella
Paella is a Spanish pilaf traditionally made with white rice and seafood. We’ll do away with the seafood here, of course, and since we’re dispensing with tradition, let’s do away with white rice as well. Using nutritious and quick-cooking quinoa instead, you can have a colorful meal in about thirty minutes. This goes well with Spinach, Orange, and Red Cabbage Salad.
Recipe from Plant Power: Transform Your Kitchen, Plate, and Life with More Than 150 Fresh and Flavorful Vegan Recipes by Nava Atlas. ©2014, published by HarperOne, reprinted by permission. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky.
Serves: 6
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable broth or water
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, cut into 2-inch strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into 2-inch strips
1 cup sliced baby bella (cremini) mushrooms (optional)
2 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric (see Note)
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a fine sieve
2 teaspoons fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
One 14- to 15-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
2 cups diced ripe tomatoes
2 to 3 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Heat the oil, broth, or water in a large, deep skillet or stir-fry pan. Add the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms, if desired, and sauté over medium-low heat until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, turmeric, and quinoa. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Stir in the thyme, artichoke hearts, peas, tomatoes, scallions, and half the parsley. Check if the quinoa is completely done; if not, add 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring frequently, just until everything is well heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the mixture to a large shallow serving container, or serve straight from the pan. Sprinkle the remaining parsley over the top and serve at once.
Note: As another departure from tradition, I’ve suggested turmeric rather than the customary saffron. Saffron is harder to obtain and very expensive, but you’re welcome to try it if you have access to it. Use 1 to 11/2 teaspoons saffron threads dissolved in a small amount of hot water.
Nutrition information: Calories: 222 with oil, 202 without oil; Total fat: 4g with oil, 2g without oil; Protein: 10g; Carbohydrates: 40g; Fiber: 9g; Sodium: 240mg
Nava has generously arranged a giveaway of Plant-Power. Enter through Rafflecopter, tell us YOUR favorite Nava Atlas recipe!
Chely says
I loved her Composed Asian Noodle Platter from Vegan Express.
Ashley says
I love her taco recipes! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Nóra says
Everything with chickpea in it in it is a winner!
Jennifer K says
I like the Lemony Wild Rice with Greens recipe from Wild About Greens
Robyn says
I have yet to try any of her recipes…but would LOVE to try some by winning this amazing book.
katy sparrow says
I love Nava’s baked chickpea burgers!
Mary says
Today my favorite is curried red lentil soup. Nava has so many outstanding recipes that favorites change frequently around here!
shantel says
That looks so yummy! I haven’t tried any of her recipes but now I NEED to !
Susan says
I made this tonight. I would make a few minor modifications.
1. I would use a little less liquid – the veggies get wet with sautéing and so I didn’t need so much liquid.
2. I wouldn’t cook the peppers with the mushrooms – they got a bit over done – I would put them in a bit later so they stay a bit crisp.
3. Same with the peas – I would put them in right before serving so they stay bright green.
4. I added some red pepper flakes and would do so again – I just happen to like spicy food. I would also add a bit more garlic and other seasoning.
This recipe is a keeper – really delicious – I served it over a big bed of greens for some extra nutrition.
Thanks Nava!!!
Erika says
I love the muffin recipe from her Vegan Holiday Kitchen book!
Beth says
Oops, Wild About Greens — not All About Greens!
Beth says
I love her Kale & Red Quinoa Salad from All About Greens! 🙂
MaryAnn Flood says
Have many of her books; but, my favorite is “Wild About Greens”. LOL, just when I think I’ve found a favorite recipe…”boom”! I find another I like even more. Hmm, what’s going to happen now with this new book….can’t wait!
Lakshmi says
Unfortunately I have a favorite recipe of hers yet since I don’t have any of her cookbooks. The sushi in the photo looks divine.
Laura says
This recipe looks yummy and I happen to have all the ingredients on hand. Sweet!
Christine Todd says
Love her chickpea and kale spread, also, anything with curry! Her sweet potatoes, chard and chickpeas is amazing!
Diane C. says
I have not tried any of her recipes yet. I am only five months into my journey into the Vegetarian diet and would love any new suggestions for meals. I’ve been looking over the internet and Nava’s books look great!
Susan says
The paella looks amazing – so glad you are sharing that recipe. Love Nava’s cookbooks and would love to add this one to my collection, please????? 🙂
Heather says
No favorites yet! Hope to try soon.
Heather says
Vegan beet burgers are killer. That color alone! Can’t get enough of the in-season sweet beets lately!
Sylvia says
No favorites yet, but if this any example I am looking forward to trying more!
Amber says
Oh, how can I pick a favorite? I’m currently cooking my way through her Wild About Greens cookbook and I’m in love. :]
Hope says
Artichoke quinoa paella…yummmmmmm
Carolsue says
Apple Slaw with Leafy Greens is another favorite
Kate says
The chickpeas sandwich spread sounds great. Anything grime her soups and stews cookbook
Carolsue says
Thai-style Pineapple Coconut Rice is my fave
Nicole says
Moroccan-Flavored Tofu with Apricots, Olives, and Almonds
Purnima Barve says
My favorite recipe by Nava Atlas is the Pineapple Coconut Noodles.
Meg says
I have never tried her recipes before, but her food looks delicious and I would love to have her book!
Christine Magiera says
This paella loos fantastic!! I love anything with artichokes, really. 🙂
Nava Atlas’ The Vegetarian Family Cookbook was the first vegetarian cookbook I bought! I loved the Southwestern Baked Rice Casserole. Delicious! (I’m a carboholic at heart) I also love the Dilled Vegetable Barley Soup. There are several great pasta salad recipes too.
I didn’t realize she was an artist too. Shes so talented! Thanks to her for doing the giveaway.
Ashley says
I love everything from Vegan Soups & Stews for All Seasons & am really looking forward to trying the quinoa paella!
Miet says
I’m new to Nava Atlas, but the Paella looks wonderful!
Kricky D says
This recipe looks amazing!!! I can’t wait to try it!
Mare Dee says
I haven’t tried her recipes before. This one sounds amazing!
Erica C says
I’m just now discovering her recipes. The one listed in the blog post sounds delish! Can’t wait to make it.
Sheila says
BBQ Chickpea Sandwich sounds great. I love chickpeas!
Laura Black says
Man…I have to pick a favorite recipe? I just cannot pick, all of them I have tried so far are delicious! I just pinned this recipe for later. Thank you so much for the great review, and I am looking forward to this book (whether I win it or not, I will definitely get it)! Thanks Dreena!! ~Laura @PlantBasedJunkies
Jane Ellen Bradley says
I would love to try these recipes!
Susan says
Quick Quinoa Paella looks good.
susan g says
I’m an old fan of Nava’s, and this book looks beautiful!
Faith says
Thanks for introducing me to Nava- from browsing her site, her recipes all look and sound amazing!
Paula says
I have many favorites of Nava’s. I’ve loved her Southwestern Tofu Scramble for a long time. http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/southwestern-tofu-scramble/
Jinnie Lee Schmid says
Thanks for sharing this, Dreena! This cookbook looks great. The author is new to me – but if you like her, then I do, too – and that’s just what I said on Twitter 🙂
Michael Phelan says
This recipe looks right up my alley. I’ve been craving a paella lately and this looks perfect!
Claudia Delemont says
I am also new to Nava Atlas but I think I would have a hard time just picking one. They all look so yummy !!!
ali says
i’ve never tried a Nava recipe so i’d love to win the cookbook!
Barbara Davidge says
I don’t have her Nava’s cookbooks but i am going to buy one now! thx for sharing. would love to win
Marie says
I have a very used and stained copy of Vegan Express. I love many recipes in there but I always go to the ravioli and stir fry vegetables when I’m to lazy to cook.
Truc says
Nava has a recipe for collard greens and sundried tomatoes and spaghetti squash in her “Wild About Greens” cookbook that I loooove.
Deana says
I’ve never seen any of Nava’s recipes but from the list of favorite recipes above I can tell that I’m missing out. BBQ chickpea sandwiches certainly sound delicious!! 🙂
Alan says
Looks good, can’t wait to try 🙂
JN says
I have her Vegan Soups & Hearty Stews for All Seasons! I love it. Great Ratatouille! Love the Butternut Squash Soup. I would love to try those BBQ Chickpeas in the phot above!
Barbara says
I don’t own any of Ms. Atlas’s books, but I am a fan and have referred to her website for assistance with my things, such as packing kids lunches and coming up with other dinner ideas. One of my favorite recipes from her website is the Chinese-Style Stir-Fried Lettuce. Would love to own one of her books!
Christina m Oddy says
Rice and Noodle Pilaf
Valerie says
I am new to Nava Atlas, so I don’t have a favorite to share. The cookbook looks lovely!
Greg Allbee says
Skillet tofu teriyaki sounds lovely.
Sara says
Looks delicious!
Ali @ Farmers Market Vegan says
She has a great lemon-cashew sauce for pasta!
Shelah says
That BBQ Chickpea sandwich looks delicious! Thanks for this opportunity 🙂
Sherry says
The photography for the cover of your new book is GORGEOUS, Nava!!
Johanna says
That BBQ chickpea sandwich looks delightful.
Heather B. says
I haven’t tried any of her recipes yet, but I’m looking forward to adding a new favorite to my repertoire!
Corrine says
I really want to try to make the sushi that is pictured.
Lydia Claire says
I look forward to trying the Matzoh Ball Soup!
stephanie says
my favorite recipe is lentil and mushroom shepherds pie. we make it a lot in the winter and it’s our christmas dinner. looking forward to your new book. i’m going to try the paella. looks delicious!
Deborah says
One of our all time favorites is Bok Choy Fried Rice, but for a special holiday dish on Passover, we love to serve Nava’s Spinach, Leek, and Potato Matzo Gratin.
Frugal Vegan Mom says
I really like her orange sesame noodles.
Jennifer Manriquez says
Sadly, I have never tried a Nava recipe. But the one you’ve posted here looks amazing!
Becca F says
The hemp walnut pie crust
Josiane says
I have yet to try any of Nava’s recipes (I know!), but it looks like this quinoa paella would be a very good start: it sounds great! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Traci says
I love Nava’s work and would love to add this cookbook to my library!
Tami@NutmegNotebook says
I am knew to her recipes but I will be trying this recipe for sure!
sarah says
chickpea sandmich
Veganopoulous says
I like Navas’s veggie pot pie recipe. Thanks for this giveaway!
Naomi Kellogg says
Looks yummy!
Mm says
Looks delicious!
KathyD says
My favorite is Basic Muffins, Seven Ways from The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.
sharon says
The Chickpea and Kale Sandwich spread. Thanks for this great giveaway.
Kristen says
I absolutely LOVE Paella! I can’t wait to try this!!
karen says
I made this last night with roasted brussel sprouts since I had no artickokes and it was great!
Bre says
This looks yummy! The cookbook looks beautiful.
Jackie says
She has excellent soup recipes!
Vegyogini says
I’d love to try this paella. Thank you for the giveaway!
Sara K says
This looks like dinner for my family tomorrow night! Can’t wait to try it!
Heidi says
Tried the one in the post. I used marinated artichoke hearts and didn’t love those in it, but it was nice and hearty and very filling. Hope to try more in the cookbook!
moomoo says
This looks amazing, but my family won’t eat mushrooms or artichoke hearts. Does anyone have any suggestions for other vegetables I might use for them, instead? I’m going to sauté the mushrooms for me and add to my plate at the end.
Terri Cole says
This is my favorite Nava Atlas recipe: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/curried-sweet-potatoes-with-chard-and-chickpeas/
It’s simple, delicious and easily adapted if you need to make substitutions.
Sharon says
A simple one, but used for years is “Sweet-Glazed Tofu Cutlets” in Vegetarian Express.
Steph says
Thank goodness for yummy vegan meals when my best [vegan] friend comes into town (like this weekend!).
Mary P says
I can’t wait to try that Paella recipe, looks divine!
Grace says
My favourite recipe is Sweet Potato and Sage Ravioli from Vegan Holiday Kitchen
Deborah says
Love the Red Lentil Soup!!
Amy says
This book looks wonderful! I’m definitely trying this paella soon. 🙂
Susan says
This post had me going to Nava’s website for the first time. Immediately, her Rice and Noodle Pilaf has caught my eye. I will definitely be giving that a try, as well as looking at her recipes posted for more ideas.
Candyce Loescher says
I’ve made a few of the recipes from Vegan Holiday Cooking and they’ve all been great. Favorite may be a toss up between the brussel sprouts and the pumpkin pie. Can’t wait to try the paella and the barbeque chickpeas look fabulous!
Carry says
Favorite recipe? I don’t know…I’ve never cooked from her cookbooks or website! This seems like the perfect time to start 🙂
Sarah says
I like the chickpea sandwich; it’s a challenge to find good chickpea recipes, and this is delicious!
Claudette says
It’s funny, before I went vegan, I had never really tried Indian inspired dishes. After I went vegan I started trying different recipes and I found that I love just about any dish that is Indian inspired. One of my favorites is Red Lentil Soup with Spinach or Arugula. I just might make this for dinner tonight with Arugula for a change!
Karen D says
So hard to pick just one, as I’ve been reading & cooking with her cookbooks for well over 20 years now! One that was a staple when my sons were young is Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Noodles from American Harvest.
Mina says
Cold Sesame-Ginger Soba Noodles and Greens. Now I’m off to search for the other recipes in the comments, they all sound so good!
Kate says
I’m sure I’ve tried a Nava recipe or two, but can’t think of them off the top of my head. This one will definitely be tried, it looks delicious! Would love to win her new cookbook!
JoAnn McManus says
I like so many of her recipes. One that we make a lot is seitan and broccoli stir fry.
Ann Taylor says
This is going on the menu for next week!!! It looks wonderful!!
susan says
curried red lentil soup from vegan soups and hearty stews for all seasons!
Mary says
I’ve made the Chickpea and Kale Sandwich Spread from Nava’s website. To die for!, but made my own vegan mayonnaise. I would love to have her book in my kitchen!
Ashley says
I can’t wait to try this, those chickpea sandwiches look amazing too!
Heather says
I only have two of her books, and one of them, Wild About Greens, I’ve only had for a couple weeks and haven’t cooked from yet. The other book I own, Vegan Holiday Kitchen, has a recipe for mushroom gravy that was a big hit in my house, so I’ll choose that. The new book looks awesome!
Laura Cosgriff says
My absolute favorite Nava Atlas recipe is the one for Banana Fritters from the The Vegetarian Family Cookbook. I’ve been making Banana Fritters since I purchased that book when my children were babies. It’s so un-fussy and a staple in our house. I have that recipe committed to memory! A great way to use those old bananas!
Jessica Eagle says
Thank you for this giveaway !!!
I’m not sure I’ve tried any Nava Atlas recipe before, but I can’t wait to try this paella. Miammm !!!
Elyssa says
This is the first recipe of her’s I’m going to try and I can’t wait. This looks like only the beginning of a book filled with amaaaazing recipes!
Henriette says
I will be making this paella for dinner tonight.
Quick and easy. Plus it will be my first recipe from Nava
Atlas to try out.
Martha says
I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet but Barbecue-Flavored Chickpea Sandwiches sound more than delicious! I love BBQ and I love chickpea 😀
Lee-Anne says
I have enjoyed Nava’s recipes over the years. Last years ? holiday book had a wonderful stuffed acorn squash that was a hit at Thanksgiving. Looking forward to exploring this new book for more ideas.
Lisa says
Wow, these recipes look wonderful! I haven’t tried any recipes by Nava yet but I can’t wait to try some of these out. They look delicious!
christina carlisle says
I don’t think I’ve tried any of her recipes before, but I can’t wait to make this paella…..it looks amazing!
Monica says
I’m so exited about making this paella. I love quinoa and I’ve missed the taste of fish in certain recipes. I can’t wait.
Shannon says
I don’t think I’ve tried any of her recipes before, but I’d like to.
Christine B says
I have made several recipes from Nava’s website and they’re all wonderful. But my very favorite is the Valencia Red Bean & Rice. Love her simple and yummy recipes!
Geraldine Tucker says
I have not tried any of your recipes yet. I hope to win your book so that I can!!!
Monika Sauer says
I love the chick pea sandwiches!
Tracy says
I don’t think I can pick a favorite recipe. But one I make a lot is her black bean tostadas, so they are one of my favorites.