Pot Roast, Vegetarian Style

Pot Roast, Vegetarian-Style. Like a warm hug to comfort even the Mondayest of Mondays. This one pot dish is brimming with meaty mushrooms and roasted root vegetables over a creamy cauliflower mash. It’s the epitome of comfort food. And ever since I’ve started eating mostly plant-based, I’ve had a hankering for a pot roast; this hits the spot and the meat isn’t even missed! Plus, it’s dairy-free, gluten-free and can be made Whole30 compliant so that you can please all eaters. Get ready to bring the supper club home. DEATs below!

When going mostly plant-based, there are a few things that I just MISS! Like a good burger, meatball or pot roast. There’s no replacement for these comfort foods…right? Wrong. Let me introduce you to something you already probably know well…mushrooms. Mushrooms mimic the meaty texture and umami flavor of beef and are significantly lower in calories, fat and cholesterol. Plus, there’s a whole wide world of mushrooms to discover. They’re the highlight of this vegetarian pot roast and just about any variety can be used. Here’s a brief overview to build your knowledge base so you can talk like a fine wine…err mushroom connoisseur.
5 Varieties of Mushrooms to Know:

1.) Portobello: These are likely the most familiar – the large size of the umbrella and meaty flavor make a great swap for a burger (just remove the stem) or can serve as the base for a personal-sized pizza (just flip the umbrella upside down, remove the stem and load with marinara, cheese, your favorite toppings and bake in the oven).
2.) Cremini & Button: These small mushrooms are often confused. What’s the difference? Cremini are just an older version of the common white button mushroom. Cremini are a bit browner and more firm, which makes them great for soups and stews. Button mushrooms come in white and brown varieties, but have a milder flavor.
3.) Oyster: The thin layers of these clumped mushrooms can often resemble petals of flowers. Because these mushrooms are quite thin, they can be easily torn and will cook more evenly and quickly than other mushrooms.
4.) Shiitake: These mushrooms have a large brown umbrella with a long, tough stem. Most often used in Asian cuisine, the stem should be removed because it is too chewy to eat.
5.) Enoki: The thin, long stems and small caps of these mushrooms make them a great addition to soups or noodle dishes. Reminiscent of noodles, you may be familiar with these mushrooms from your favorite Japanese ramen spot.

Now that you’re a ‘shroom expert, let’s get onto the pot roast!

What do I love most about this dish?
–Versatility: you can use any mushrooms or root vegetables you have on hand.
–Flavor: whether you choose to use vegetable broth, wine or whisky to flavor the sauce, it is guaranteed to comfort your pallet.
–Leftover-Friendly: this dish re-heats well so you can enjoy it again and again.
–One Pot: who doesn’t love to clean just one pot?
–Whole30, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegan: it accommodates any diet!

This thick mushroom and root vegetable stew is layered on a creamy cauliflower mash, but you could also eat it on its own or ladle over traditional mashed potatoes or even rice. This dish is the definition of “whatever you have on hand”! It may so like a lot of chopping, but this dish and the leftovers will be oh so worth it! So gather those veggies and let’s get cooking!

Vegetarian Pot Roast Over Cauliflower Mash
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:
Mushroom & Root Vegetable Stew
-1 yellow onion, diced
-6-8 cloves of garlic, diced
-20 oz of mushrooms (suggest 8 oz cremini, 8 oz Portobello and 4 oz oyster)
-1 parsnip, peeled and diced
-1 turnip, peeled and diced
-2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
-1 C of red wine, whiskey or additional broth
-1 T fresh thyme (leaves removed from the stem)
-2 rosemary sprigs, whole
-1 tsp garlic powder
-4 T soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos (if gluten-free)
-3 T tomato paste
-2 C broth
Cauliflower Mash
-1 head of cauliflower, trimmed and cut into florets
-3 T ghee
-1 tsp salt
-1/4 black pepper

Directions:
Step 1: Prepare the cauliflower mash by steaming the cauliflower. Bring about 1-inch of water to a boil in a large pot with a steam insert (I use this one). Add the cauliflower once the water is boiling and cover the pot. Allow to steam for about 15 minutes, or until the florets are soft when pierced with a fork, but not completely falling apart and mushy (very technical). Remove the cauliflower and reserve about 3/4 of the water from the pot.
Step 2: While the cauliflower steams, add a bit of olive oil to a deep saute pan or large stew pot on the stove top over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, mushrooms and a pinch of salt once hot. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until the onions soften and become translucent. 
Step 3: Add the wine, whiskey or 1 C of broth. Stir to combine, cooking for about a minute. Then, add the diced carrots, turnip, parsnip, thyme, rosemary and garlic powder. Stir to combine before adding the tomato paste, soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos), the remaining broth and a big pinch of salt. Stir to combine, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the carrots, turnips and parsnips are soft.
Step 4: Once the cauliflower is steamed, place half the cauliflower in a food processor with 1/4 of the steamed water. Puree until smooth. Add the remaining cauliflower, butter and salt. Continue to puree, adding water as needed. The goal is to add as little water as possible since you don’t want soup, so you likely won’t need the full 3/4 C. Once it is the desired consistency, place in a serving bowl and set aside.
Step 5: Layer the cauliflower mash on individual serving plates, ladle the mushroom and root vegetable stew over the top and enjoy!