Kabocha Butternut Squash Soup – Vegan, Oil-Free

This recipe is a snapshot of two friends. One, who texted me a photo of a bowl of butternut soup she’d made next to a painting she was working on- two literal works of art, one comforting photo. Two, a new friend who generously gifted me a kabocha squash, knowing I’m vegan and oil-free, and …

Longevity Minestrone from Dan’s Blue Zones, Esselstyn, No-Oil

Though the Blue Zones were initially discovered by Michel Poulain, Dan Buettner wrote the book on “lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived the longest.” While I love the book and especially enjoy the social aspects of it, I was shocked to see that many of his recipes include olive oil. Of course, …

Lasagna Soup – Vegan, Oil-Free

If you’re craving lasagna, especially during the first year or so of transitioning to no-oil vegan, you might do what I did- and make a fake-meat lasagna with textured vegetable protein (TVP). I made it once- and never again. It just didn’t land for me. I gave up on lasagna altogether, knowing some things just …

Sweet Autumn Soup – Oil free, vegan

As autumn draws near, I’ve slowed down on summer’s berries and melons and have started to look for more seasonal vegetables. The vibrant orange of this sweet potato and carrot soup will make your dinner table glow. The curry spices this soup beautifully, and the apple and maple syrup tone it down just right. Feel …

Vegan No-Oil Ramen Noodle Bowl

This is one of my favorite fast and easy lunches. It takes only about 10 minutes, depending on how long it takes you to chop a few mushrooms and garlic, and the turmeric makes it a wonderful anti-inflammatory meal. Instead of slamming your system with food that tears you down, this is a great midday …

Vegan Not-Chicken Noodle Soup

I missed the soothing, “everything’s-right-with-the-world” feeling of homemade chicken noodle soup- but I definitely didn’t want the oil, chicken, or mega-salt load of the canned stuff I remember from childhood. This recipe tastes just as comforting as my memory, and feels 100% healthier. Pair with a great cornbread or biscuit for heartier appetites. Notes: You …

Hearty, Classic Vegan Chili

Last night as I was tucking my 7 year-old into bed, she said, “Mom, will you make chili for dinner tomorrow? I LOVE your chili.” What mama could resist that? This recipe is adapted from one my mother-in-law lovingly saved from me after she found out we were vegan. It originally called for oil and …

Instant Pot Tomato Veggie Soup – Plant Strong, Esselstyn

Santa brought me an Instant Pot for Christmas, and I’ve been happily trying all my favorite recipes in it. It’s so satisfying to get a deep, rich, “all day cook” taste out of this little machine after just a few minutes of cooking. I love how the flavors of all my herbs and spices permeate …

2021 Best Esselstyn Recipes

Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn recommends an oil-free, vegan diet in his book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease . In addition to the great recipes in his accompanying cookbook, The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook: Over 125 Delicious, Life-Changing, Plant-Based Recipes, here are a few recipes that meet Dr. Esselstyn’s guidelines that we make almost every week, …