Barbeque Soy Curls with Spinach and Cheesy Grits
By the Gracious Vegan
This comforting combination—chewy soy curls, cheesy grits, and spinach, all slathered with barbecue sauce—tastes great and delivers legumes, grains, and greens. Cook the soy curls in the air fryer or oven—your choice. With instant grits and an air fryer, dinner will be done in under 30 minutes!
Makes 4 bowls
Make the barbeque soy curls. Preheat the oven to 425°F with convection. (See Note at bottom for air frying them instead.) Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or silicone mat.
Add the dried soy curls to a medium bowl and cover them with the broth and soy sauce. Let them soak for about 10 minutes until the soy curls have softened.
2 rounded cups soy curls (dry) (about 4 ounces)
2 cups warm vegetable broth
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
Once the curls are soft, drain the broth and squeeze the curls to get out the excess water. Dry the bowl, put the curls back in. Add barbeque sauce and stir to coat all parts of the curls.
3/4 cup barbeque sauce (for homemade, see my Healthy, Tangy BBQ Sauce)
Spread out the curls on the parchment and bake for 12 minutes. Then flip, stir, and return to the oven for about 8 minutes, until the liquid is evaporated and the soy curls are darker and firmer.
Make the cheesy grits. On the stove in a large saucepan, stir or whisk the grits and salt into briskly boiling water, taking care that no lumps form.
4 cups boiling water
1 cup instant grits
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring or whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk the following ingredients into the grits, making sure the entire mixture is homogenous and creamy.
4-5 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Cook the garlic and spinach. In a large saucepan, sauté pan, or Dutch oven, water-sauté the garlic for a few minutes until soft.
2 cloves garlic, minced
Then pile in the spinach and stir with a pair of tongs or other tool to warm and wilt the spinach.
10 ounces fresh spinach (cleaned and chopped if the leaves are large)
Assemble and eat. Assemble the soy curls, grits, and spinach in individual bowls or on individual plates. Top with additional sauce if desired.
Additional barbeque sauce
All of the components will last about a week in the refrigerator and can be frozen.
Note
Air fryer instructions. Air fry the soy curls for 8 minutes at 400°F, tossing them halfway through. Add more minutes if needed.
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Timing: about 30 minutes