This recipe exists because of a profound love of two things:
I cannot get enough of using my "bacon" in place of fatback, or in this case, pancetta. You can also find it in Split Pea Soup with "Ham", Community Spotlight/Veganization: 15-Bean Soup ("Liz's Beans"), and Vegan Boston Baked Beans (coming soon).
Besides, few recipes offer more dishwashing mercy than one-pot pasta recipes that don't even require a colander!
For copyright reasons, I cannot upload a picture of the "One-Pot Pasta and Peas" article I found in a used copy of Cook's Illustrated I acquired through my local Buy Nothing group. The best I can give you, regrettably, is their link behind a paywall.
Rest assured, I didn't change America's Test Kitchen's recipe much as that's not the point of my veganizations. I didn't even remove the fresh herbs they include in spite of the simple, economic demands that bore this Southern Italian peasant dish.
But I did double it! (After all, from experience, what Italian family ever serves only four?) I also swapped out the pancetta for my seitan bacon and Pecorino-Romano for nutritional yeast.
Admittedly, fresh herbs are a divergence from this Southern Italian peasant dish. Omit them for ultimate authenticity, or replace them with 2 Tbsp (30 mL) dried Italian seasoning.
If using dried herbs, add them with the onions, salt, and pepper in Step 4.
serves 6-8
If necessary, make seitan bacon.
Prepare and separately set each aside:
In a lg pot, melt oil over med heat. Add "bacon" or hot dogs and cook about 10 min, stirring every 2-3 min, until lightly browned and crusted.
Carefully transfer onion, salt, and pepper to pot. Sauté about 7 min, then add pasta and toast about 3 min.
Slowly pour in broth/stock and water. Increase heat to hi and bring to a rapid boil, then reduce heat between med and med-hi. Stir constantly while maintaining an active simmer for 8-10 min, until liquid is noticeably reduced and pasta has reached desired firmness.
Reduce heat to lo. Mix in peas, until thawed and hot, then remove pot from heat.
Finish by incorporating herbs and nutritional yeast. Serve.
Other recipes using my seitan bacon include:
Kale yes, I'm soy excited you're here! My name is Christi, and sharing food brings me even more happiness than puns.
Does It Vegan? is a question for conventional recipes as well as an answer for my career. Because no matter what else I've been, I've been a plant-based cook who thrives on connecting with people through their favorite foods.
Gratitude is the most scrumptious seasoning!
Thank You ♥
From the Bottom of My Hearth, Christi of Does It Vegan?
