The walnut 'meat' returns!
I've used it twice before now, piled high on loaded potato slices, and stuffed into lettuce wraps. Since both of these recipes spiced it up and made it taco meat style, this time I thought I'd do something a bit different and use it to make spaghetti bolognese (a firm favourite).
I usually use beef-style soy mince in my bolognese, but I loved this less processed version even more. The mushrooms give a bit of chewiness, and the coarsely ground walnuts make sure the mixture has a bit of bite. They're cooked in with the tomatoes, so they're not completely crunchy, but definitely give you something to sink your teeth into.
This vegan version isn't your typical bolognese sauce. It's not simmered for hours to make a dark, rich tomato sauce (though a splash of red wine wouldn't go amiss!), but what the recipe lacks in colour, it makes up for in convenience - it only takes about 20 minutes to make! I used a combination of big tomatoes and little cherry tomatoes, but you can use whatever kind you have on hand.
Don't forget to serve your spaghetti bolognese topped with a good handful of grated cheese - or keep it plain (or use vegan cheese!) for a vegan version.
Then just grab a fork and dig in...
Mushroom and walnut bolognese
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Print Pin CommentIngredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 medium mushrooms diced fairly small
- 100 g walnuts
- 3 large tomatoes diced
- 100 g cherry tomatoes ~12, halved
- 100 ml vegetable stock ~⅓ cup
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- To serve: spaghetti optional, grated cheese
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan, and add the onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until soft.
- Meanwhile, add the walnuts to a food processor, and pulse a few times until the walnuts are coarsely ground.
- Add the walnuts to the mushroom mixture, along with the remaining ingredients. Turn the heat up a little, and simmer gently for around 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have broken down and the mixture is at your desired consistency. Serve with spaghetti and grated cheese if desired.
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
Johanna GGG says
wow this looks amazing - I have tried this sort of walnut meat for tacos but never on pasta - can't wait as I love walnuts and am always looking for new spag bol ideas
Bec says
I just finished eating this and had to comment - loved it!!! New fav veg Bolognese :) In my pre-vegetarian days I used to love a good bowl of spaghetti bolognese, but I haven't really found a non-meat recipe that I was more than "meh, I 'spose that was okay".... UNTIL NOW! Even the carnivore said it was good, and he was rather sceptical before eating it!
Definitely making this again and again and again. Thanks :)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Awww YAY! That's such a lovely comment, thanks so much Bec! Really glad you both liked it :)
Helen at Casa Costello says
Oh wow, looks incredible! Your photos make even spat bol look so inviting :-)
The Food Queens says
OMG, this sounds gorrrgeous!!! New fave veggie blog!! Thanks for posting :)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Aw thank you so much! :)