I love the challenge of taking a comfort classic and making it plant-based. Inspired by (and veganized from) a Nigella Lawson recipe, vegan cheesy mashed potatoes with tempeh bacon and apple is the ultimate in plant-based comfort.
Embellished with onion, apple and tempeh bacon, this easy recipe takes mashed potatoes to another level, and is a fantastic side dish fit for any veg-centric winter holiday table.
Creamy, cheesy, with the surprising sweet-tart bite of Granny Smith apple and the heartiness of tempeh bacon, you’ll love every bite.
Feel free to use packaged tempeh bacon or easily make your own with this recipe for Sweet and Savory Tempeh Strips.
Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.
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Vegan Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Tempeh Bacon & Apple
Inspired by (and veganized from) a Nigella Lawson recipe, vegan cheesy mashed potatoes with tempeh bacon and apple is the ultimate in plant-based comfort.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds golden potatoes (about 6 to 8 medium-large)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 6 to 8 strips tempeh bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium red or yellow onion, quartered and sliced
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced about 1/2 inch
- 3/4 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 1/2 cups vegan Cheddar-style shreds
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel and dice the potatoes and place them in a small soup pot. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until fork-tender.
- Meanwhile, heat half of the olive oil in a medium skillet. Add the tempeh bacon and sauté over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until crisp. Remove to a plate.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in the same skillet. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the apple and continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is starting to lightly brown and the apple is tender but not overdone.
- When the potatoes are done, drain them and return to the pot. Stir in the plant-based milk. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher. You can leave plenty of texture. Over low heat, add the cheese in batches, stirring in until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the mashed potatoes to a shallow serving container. Top with the onion-apple mixture, then scatter the bacon over the top. Serve hot.
See more plant-forward salads & sides.
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