“30-Minute Vegan Dinners” by Megan Sadd. (Pan Macmillan Australia)

“30-Minute Vegan Dinners” by Megan Sadd. (Pan Macmillan Australia)

Food blogger’s cookbook has easy vegan weeknight recipes

Here’s a vegan take on mongolian beef with portobello mushrooms and two kinds of onions.

  • By Chris Ross The San Diego Union-Tribune
  • Wednesday, March 20, 2019 11:51am
  • Life

By Chris Ross / The San Diego Union-Tribune

“30-Minute Vegan Dinners” is the first cookbook from Los Angeles recipe developer and food blogger Megan Sadd, known for her plant-based food blog, Carrots & Flowers, and a Facebook video channel. Her cookbook focuses on 75 vegan dishes that are easy enough to make as weeknight meals.

“I think a cookbook of 75 skillets sounds rather boring,” she says in the book’s introduction, “so I created these recipes to push the envelope and help you reimagine what is possible to accomplish in 30 minutes.”

Her recipes include moo shoo tofu, pan-seared cauliflower marsala and three versions of mac and cheese. She says this recipe is for onion lovers; it’s a vegan take on mongolian beef with portobello mushrooms and two kinds of onions.

Mongolian mushrooms & onions

¾ cup jasmine rice

1½ cups vegetable broth

16 ounces portobello, shiitake, or mushrooms of choice

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar

¼ teaspoon liquid smoke

1 yellow onion

5 green onions

2 tablespoons avocado oil

3 cloves garlic

For the Mongolian sauce:

3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon rice wine

1 teaspoon sesame oil

½ teaspoon white pepper

Cook the rice with the broth in a rice cooker (or according to package directions). Slice the mushrooms while the rice cooks.

Make the marinade: Mix the cornstarch, soy sauce, vinegar and liquid smoke together in a bowl. Gently toss the mushrooms in the marinade. Set aside.

Slice the yellow onion into thin strips. Cut the green onions into 2-inch pieces.

Put the avocado oil in a large, deep pan over high heat.

Make the sauce: Mix the soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, sesame oil and pepper together in a small bowl.

Add the mushrooms to the pan. Cook until tender and browned, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Mince the garlic while the mushrooms cook.

Add the yellow onion and garlic to the mushrooms and cook and stir until the onion is softened. Add the green onions. Pour the sauce over the pan and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the green onions soften. Serve over rice.

— Reprinted with permission from “30-Minute Vegan Dinners” by Megan Sadd, Page Street Publishing Co.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Auston James / Village Theatre
“Jersey Boys” plays at Village Theatre in Everett through May 25.
A&E Calendar for May 15

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Photo courtesy of Historic Everett Theatre
The Elvis Challenge takes place Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre.
A&E Calendar for May 8

Send calendar submissions to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your item is seen by… Continue reading

Former Herald writer Melissa Slager’s new book was 14-year project

The 520-page historical novel “Contests of Strength” covers the 1700 earthquake and tsunami on Makah lands.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV, shown here in the European version (Provided by Mercedes-Benz).
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e PHEV has a 54-mile range

The plug-in hybrid compact luxury SUV goes a class-leading distance in full electric mode.

RAV4 Hybrid XSE AWD photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Provides 39 MPG And 566-Mile Range

Versatile And Functional Compact SUV A Family Pleaser

Photo provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
Subaru Adds Bronze And Onyx Trims to 2025 Ascent

Three-Row Family SUV Delivers Equal Parts Safety And Comfort

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV (Provided by Hyundai).
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid evokes outdoor adventure

Boxy styling leaves lots of room for gear. A refined ride ensures comfort around town.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna minivan in the top-level Platinum grade (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Sienna maintains reputation for fuel efficiency

Every model in the minivan’s lineup has a hybrid powertrain.

An autumn-themed display at Wagner Jewelers in Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shine bright with Snohomish County’s top jewelry finds

Three dazzling shops where elegance, craft, and sparkle come together.

The 2025 Lexus TX 350 is a three-row luxury SUV. It’s offered in Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling grades (Provided by Lexus).
2025 Lexus TX 350 welcomes new F Sport Handling model

Unique exterior highlights, a glass roof and sport-tuned suspension are among the attractions.

Hybrid Touring Photo Provided by Subaru U.S. Media Center
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Increases Fuel Economy And Range

Sixth-Generation Model Receives Complete Refresh

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.