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Seared Veggies with Shiitake Cashew Cream Sauce

Seared Veggies with Shiitake Cashew Cream Sauce

Paolo Peralta
Creamy, umami-packed vegan comfort food! Try these seared veggies with shiitake cashew cream sauce, deglazed with mirin and topped with a rich plant-based sauce. Perfect over pasta, rice, or greens.
3.18 from 17 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Asian, Fusion
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Veggies

  • 1 medium eggplant cut into cubes
  • 1 large leek sliced into rings
  • 1 medium onion sliced thin
  • 2 cups kale chopped
  • 2 tablespoons mirin for deglazing
  • 1 –2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
  • Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

For the Shiitake Cashew Cream Sauce

  • 1 cup raw cashews soaked in hot water for 20 minutes
  • 4 –5 dried shiitake mushrooms rehydrated in hot water (reserve ½ cup soaking liquid)
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon vegetable base
  • ½ –¾ cup warm water adjust for creaminess
  • 1 small clove garlic optional, for extra flavor

Instructions
 

  • Sear the Veggies – Heat a pan with a drizzle of oil. Add eggplant, leeks, and onion. Let them caramelize without stirring too much for golden edges.
  • Deglaze with Mirin – Once the veggies are seared, splash in some mirin to lift all the flavorful bits from the pan.
  • Make the Sauce – Blend soaked cashews, rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and Better Than Bouillon with warm water until smooth and creamy.
  • Combine – Pour the sauce over your seared veggies, stirring gently until everything is coated. Add kale and let it wilt slightly.
  • Serve – Spoon the mixture over noodles, a hearty grain like quinoa or rice, or use as a warm topping for salads.
Keyword cashew cream, eggplant, shiitake