Carbonara refers to a dish made with bacon. Here, a bacon substitute in the form of a delicious, smoky tempeh product is used. Look for Lightlife smoky tempeh strips, otherwise known as Fakin’ Bacon, in natural food stores and well-stocked supermarkets.

　　

Ingredients

6 servings

　　12 ounces pasta, any short chunky shape

　　2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

　　One 6-ounce package Fakin’ Bacon tempeh strips

　　3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

　　4 cups finely chopped broccoli florets

　　1/2 cup dry white wine

　　1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

　　2 to 4 tablespoons Silk creamer, as needed

　　Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

　　

Step 1

Cook the pasta in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a wide skillet. Sauté the “bacon” pieces over medium heat until crisp and browned on both sides, then remove and chop into small squares.

　　

Step 3

In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the garlic and sauté over low heat until golden.

　　

Step 4

Add the broccoli and wine to the skillet. Cover and steam until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

　　

Step 5

In a serving bowl, combine the pasta, tempeh bacon, broccoli-garlic mixture (with any remaining wine), and parsley. Toss well. Add enough creamer to give the dish a bit more moisture. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

　　

Menu Suggestions

Step 6

Serve with a salad of dark green lettuce or baby spinach with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, and red or yellow bell peppers.

　　

Step 7

The first two suggestions for mixed baby greens under Recipe Not Required (page 192) go splendidly with this dish. Make Garlic and Lemon Beans (page 110) to boost the protein content of the meal.

　　

nutrition information

Step 8

Calories: 332

　　

Step 9

Total Fat: 8g

　　

Step 10

Protein: 13g

　　

Step 11

Carbohydrates: 51g

　　

Step 12

Fiber: 5g

　　

Step 13

Sodium: 260mg

　　Reprinted with permission from Vegan Express: Featuring 160 Recipes for Quick, Delicious, and Healthy Meals by Nava Atlas. Copyright © 2008 by Nava Atlas. Excerpted by permission of Broadway, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Nava Atlas is the author of nine cookbooks, including The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet, and Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband and two teenage sons (all vegans).