“This is the perfect soup to slurp in colder months,” says Gigi Grassia, author of new cookbook, Plant Protein.
“Where to begin? It combines the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes with the bold flavour of gochujang paste, creating a rich and aromatic broth. Silken tofu adds creaminess while nutritional yeast contributes an umami depth of flavour. It takes roughly 30 minutes to make and you’ll honestly never guess that it is packed with so much protein!”
In fact, this warming soup contains 25g of protein per serving.
Sweet potato gochujang soup with crispy chickpeas
Ingredients:
(Serves 3-4)
1 small-medium onion, finely chopped
2–3 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
1tbsp gochujang paste
350g sweet potatoes, chopped into 1cm cubes
450–600ml vegetable stock
1 x 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and patted dry
1 heaped tsp smoked paprika
½tsp ground cumin
1tsp onion granules
300g silken tofu
2–3 tbsp nutritional yeast
200g vermicelli rice noodles
Olive oil, for cooking and drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve:
Sesame seeds
Spring onions, finely chopped
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/Gas mark 7 and a line a baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Heat a glug of olive oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and fry the onion, garlic and gochujang paste for five to eight minutes until the onions are soft and golden.
3. Add the sweet potatoes and a splash of stock to prevent sticking, then stir and cover. Cook for 20–30 minutes, or until fork tender, adding a little more stock to prevent sticking.
4. Meanwhile, toss the chickpeas in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, the paprika, cumin, onion granules and salt. Spread the chickpeas out on the prepared baking tray. Roast them in the oven for 35-40 minutes, then turn on the grill and grill for five to 10 minutes to ensure they’re crunchy. Alternatively, if you have an air fryer, you can air-fry the chickpeas at 200°C for 15-20 minutes.
5. In a food processor, combine the cooked sweet potato mixture, silken tofu, nutritional yeast, vegetable stock and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until creamy. You might have to do this in batches.
6. Cook the rice noodles according to the packet instructions.
7. Assemble the bowls by ladling in the creamy soup, followed by the noodles. Garnish with the crispy chickpeas
Plant Protein: 80 Healthy And Delicious High-Protein Vegan Recipes by Gigi Grassia is published by Greenfinch, priced £22. Photography by Kimberly Espinel. Available January 2.
