Vegetable Chowder
Vegetable Chowder is a creamy, comforting bowl that uses cashew cream and vegetable broth for a rich but dairy free finish. This easy weeknight dinner balances tender potatoes, sweet corn, and plump garbanzo beans with bright frozen peas and green beans for texture, making it an ideal hearty plant based meal to warm you up. Try it when you want satisfying comfort without heaviness.
Equipment
- Stockpot
- High Speed Blender
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion Sauté gently to develop sweetness and form the aromatic base that supports the chowder’s overall flavor profile; finely dice for even cooking and maximum flavor release during the initial sauté stage.
- 1 medium carrot Grate or dice finely to add natural sweetness, subtle texture, and color contrast; simmer until tender so it integrates smoothly with the potato base and enhances mouthfeel.
- 8 oz . gold potato Cube evenly to provide the starchy backbone and creamy texture when simmered; cook until fork-tender so it partially breaks down and thickens the chowder naturally.
- 4 cloves garlic Mince finely to release pungent, savory aromatics that brighten the chowder; add near the beginning of cooking to infuse oil and broth with depth.
- 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth Simmer steadily to cook vegetables and form the liquid medium for the chowder; use as the primary cooking liquid and adjust amount for desired thickness.
- 15 oz . can garbanzo beans Drain and rinse before adding to contribute protein, creaminess, and a slightly nutty flavor; add partway through cooking to warm through without falling apart completely.
- 1 cup sweet peas (I use frozen) Fold in toward the end of cooking to contribute bursts of sweetness, color, and a tender pop; if frozen, add from frozen and cook until heated through.
- 1 cup cut green beans (I use frozen) Add for vegetal texture and bite, contributing color and a fresh snap; if frozen, stir in later in the cook to preserve texture.
- 1 cup sweet corn (I use frozen) Stir in for sweet kernels and crisp texture that balance the chowder’s savory elements; add near the end to avoid overcooking and maintain sweetness.
- 1/2 tsp . Italian seasoning Sprinkle during simmering to infuse a fragrant blend of herbs that complements the vegetables; measure carefully to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Garnish (optional): chives, fresh parsley Chop finely and scatter as a final touch to add freshness, mild oniony or herbaceous notes, and visual appeal; add just before serving to preserve bright flavor.
- 3/4 cup raw cashews, soaked Soak until soft and then blend to create a rich, creamy, dairy-free base that thickens and lends silkiness to the chowder; ensure fully hydrated for smooth blending.
- 1 cup water Measure and add to loosen blended cashews as needed and create the desired creamy consistency when pureed; use warm water for easier blending and integration.
- 2 1/2 tbsp . nutritional yeast Whisk into blended cream to add savory, cheesy, and umami depth while enhancing mouthfeel; dissolve thoroughly to avoid grit in the finished chowder.
- 1 tbsp . tamari Stir in to provide salty, savory complexity and amplify umami, helping to round out flavors; taste and adjust for balance against other seasonings.
- 2 tsp . cornstarch Mix with a small amount of liquid to create a slurry that thickens the chowder without lumps when heated; add gradually while simmering to reach desired thickness.
- 2 tsp . white miso (optional) Optional: dissolve into the creamy base to contribute deep, fermented umami and saltiness that enhances richness; use sparingly and taste as miso can be quite potent.
Instructions
- Prepare veggies: Dice onion, carrot, and potato. Mince garlic.: The kitchen will smell fresh and slightly sweet as you chop the onion and carrot , with the potato giving a neutral, earthy aroma. Uniform dice ensures even cooking, so aim for similar sized pieces which will soften at the same rate. When you mince the garlic , you should notice a sharp, pungent scent that mellows when cooked. A common mistake here is uneven chopping, which leads to some pieces being underdone while others fall apart, so take a few extra minutes to match sizes and keep your knife technique steady.
- Begin soup: In a stockpot over medium-high heat, sauté onion and carrot for 7-8 minutes. (I use 3 Tbsp. water/broth for no-oil sauté method, adding more as needed.) When onion is soft, add potato, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Stir and sauté 2-3 minutes.: You will hear a gentle sizzle as the vegetables hit the pot, and the smell of caramelizing onion and carrot becomes sweet and savory. Using a no oil method with small amounts of water or broth keeps the pan from drying out while still allowing the edges to soften and pick up color. Stir frequently so the pieces cook evenly and do not stick. If you rush the heat too high, the vegetables can brown unevenly or burn, imparting bitter notes. Add the potato , garlic , and Italian seasoning after the initial sauté; the garlic will become fragrant during the next few minutes without turning bitter.
- Cook soup: Add broth, garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained), peas, green beans, and corn. Bring to a light boil. Then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.: When you add the vegetable broth and canned garbanzo beans , the pot will release a warm, savory steam and the liquid will take on a deeper color. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer; you want soft, yielding vegetables but not a frantic rolling boil. As it simmers, the potato releases starch which helps the body of the chowder, and the garbanzo beans plump and contribute heartiness. Simmer time is critical: too short and potatoes remain firm, too long and vegetables can disintegrate. Keep the lid partially on to control evaporation, and skim any foam or scum that may collect to keep flavors clean.
- Make cashew cream: Meanwhile, place all cashew cream ingredients in a small high-speed blender. (I use a NutriBullet which works great.) Blend for 20-30 seconds until smooth.: While the soup simmers, the blender will hum and the air will fill with a light nutty scent as you turn raw soaked cashews , water, nutritional yeast , tamari , cornstarch, and optional white miso into an opulent cream. Aim for a silky texture about the consistency of heavy cream, with no gritty bits; a high speed blender will produce the best result. If the cream seems gritty, it usually means the cashews were not soaked enough or the blender needs more time or liquid. A smooth cashew cream is essential because it emulsifies with the broth and gives the chowder that satisfying luxurious mouthfeel.
- Combine: After the soup simmers for 20 minutes, add cashew cream. Heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened. (The soup will continue to thicken as it sits.) Serve warm with salt & pepper to taste or chopped chives or parsley if desired.: As you stir the cashew cream into the simmering pot, you will notice the broth become creamier and take on a slightly glossy sheen. Gentle, frequent stirring helps the cashew cream integrate smoothly and prevents scorching on the bottom. Allow about five minutes of gentle heating to activate the cornstarch and coax the chowder to a pleasing thickness; it will continue to become richer as it rests. A typical error here is turning the heat too high which can separate the cream or reduce the broth too quickly. Taste now and adjust seasoning with a little more tamari or salt if needed, and finish with chopped chives or fresh parsley for freshness.
Notes
- Soak cashews fully before blending to avoid grainy texture; a quick hot soak for 10 to 15 minutes works well if you are short on time.
- Rinse canned beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium and preservatives that can dull the chowder’s natural flavors.
- Add frozen veggies at the end of the simmer to preserve their bright color and slight bite instead of letting them go mushy.
- Use medium heat for sautéing the aromatics so they soften and sweeten without burning; patience here builds depth in the final bowl.
- Taste and adjust with small amounts of tamari or salt at the end, because the cashew cream and broth can concentrate as the chowder reduces.
- Blend thoroughly for a truly smooth cashew cream; if possible, use a high speed blender and scrape the sides for full integration.
- Store properly in airtight containers and reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it becomes too thick.