Mushroom and Tempeh Gumbo

Thanksgiving is about 2 weeks away, so I thought it was about time I posted an appropriate recipe. To me, this is “Thanksgiving Gumbo” because it contains mushrooms, sage, and thyme, all flavors that I associate with this time of year. Though it’s based on the Louisiana trinity of onion, peppers, and celery and it has a subtle heat that seems to grow with every bite, the herbal flavors make this a perfect dish for an “alternative” type of Thanksgiving. And who doesn’t like alternatives?

Unlike most of my other gumbo recipes, this is a Cajun, rather than Creole, gumbo because it isn’t tomato-based. It is thickened with okra and a “dry” roux made with browned flour, which adds a smoky depth to the broth without any added fat. (Dry roux forms the base of my other Cajun gumbo, Gumbo z’Herbes with Tempeh Bacon, as well as Vegan Sausage and Mushroom Étouffée.) For those of you who need a gluten-free alternative, I’ve been told that chickpea flour works very well. Bon appetit, y’all!

Mushroom and Tempeh Gumbo

A food processor makes fast work of chopping the onions, celery, and peppers.

Ingredients

Seasoning Blend:

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon granulated onion or onion powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use more for more heat)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper (use more for more heat)

8 ounces tempeh, any variety (see note below for alternatives)
2 teaspoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
1/3 cup whole wheat (or gluten-free) flour
6 to 7 cups “no-chicken” or other vegetable broth
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 large (or three medium) ribs celery, finely chopped
1 large green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
16 ounces portabella mushrooms, stemmed, sliced about 1/4-inch thick, and cut into inch-long pieces
4 ounces sliced mushrooms, any type (I used a “gourmet blend” of cremini, oyster, maitake, and button mushrooms)
6 cloves garlic, minced
12 ounces sliced okra, fresh or frozen
salt to taste
3 cups cooked brown rice, to serve

Instructions

Make the seasoning blend by mixing all the seasonings in a small bowl.
Cut the tempeh into 1/2-inch cubes. Place it in a mixing bowl and drizzle it with the soy sauce and mix well. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the seasoning blend, mix well, and set aside to marinate.
Heat a large, dry soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the flour and toast, stirring constantly, until it turns the color of a paper bag and starts smelling nutty (see photo here). Be careful not to burn it, but if you do, wipe out your pan and start over. Remove from heat. Pour into a blender along with 2 cups of the broth and blend until combined. Set aside.
Wipe out the pot and return it to the heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, adding water by the tablespoon if needed to prevent sticking. Add the celery and bell pepper and continue to cook another 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and 2 tablespoons of water and cover tightly. Cook until mushrooms begin to soften, about 2 minutes.
Give the flour mixture another quick whirl in the blender and add it to the vegetables, along with 4 cups of broth and the okra. Add all the remaining seasoning blend, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes.
While the gumbo is cooking, brown the tempeh. Heat a non-stick skillet and add the tempeh in a single layer. Cook, turning often, until it is browned on all sides.
After the gumbo has cooked for 25 minutes, add the tempeh and, if the soup seems too thick, another cup of broth. Cook for a few more minutes. Check the seasoning and add salt if you like. Serve in bowls over brown rice with Louisiana hot sauce on the table.

Notes

Feel free to substitute seitan, tofu, vegan sausages, or soy curls (no need to reconstitute) for the tempeh. For a less processed version, try using a couple of cups of cooked beans; add them with the okra along with all of the seasoning blend.

Preparation time: 30 minute(s) | Cooking time: 35 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 6

Nutrition (per serving, including rice): 286 calories, 39 calories from fat, 4.5g total fat, 0mg cholesterol, 540.6mg sodium, 906.1mg potassium, 50.3g carbohydrates, 11.7g fiber, 4.8g sugar, 15.5g protein.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

For more Thanksgiving alternatives, be sure to check out my master index of Thanksgiving recipes and Pinterest board, as well as these great recipes from other vegan bloggers:

Enjoy!