Go Back
–+ servings
5 from 1 vote
Overhead View of a Bowl of Creamy Polenta and Beans with Spoon on the Side
Print
Creamy Polenta with Spicy Red Beans and Chipotle Cashew Cream
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
Creamy polenta is topped with spiced and simmered red beans and rich vegan chipotle cashew cream in this simple, healthy and scrumptious comfort meal.
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Alissa
Ingredients
Chipotle Cashew Cream
  • ½ cup raw cashews soaked in water 4-8 hours
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ tbsp. lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. chipotle chili powder
  • dash salt
Spicy Red Beans
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 ¾ cups or 1 can 14 oz. of red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium tomato seeded and diced
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • ½ tsp. ground coriander
  • a few dashes chipotle chili powder get it as spicy as you like
  • ½ cup vegetable broth
Creamy Polenta
For Serving
  • fresh cilantro
Instructions
Make the Cashew Cream
  1. Place cashews and water in high power blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
  2. Add in lemon juice, salt and chipotle powder, and blend again until completely mixed. Taste test and adjust seasonings as desired.
Make the Beans
  1. Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, add onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute.
  2. Add beans, tomato, spices and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until tomatoes are tender and most of broth has evaporated, about ten minutes.
Make the Polenta
  1. Place water and salt in medium saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil and add polenta.
  3. Lower heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, adding a bit of water if mixture becomes too thick and begins to sputter.
  4. Stir in cilantro, nutritional yeast, and as much milk as needed to get a creamy consistency.
  5. Allow to sit for about 2 minutes.
Assemble
  1. Divide polenta into bowls.
  2. Top with bean mixture, then with chipotle cashew cream and fresh cilantro.