Vegan goulash with soy cubes and paprika

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 300 g soy cubes, large, dried
• 1 liter vegetable broth
• Oil or vegan margarine for frying
• 200 g tomatoes, diced, fresh or from a can
• 400 g bell pepper(s), cut into strips, fresh or frozen
• 1 large onion(s)
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp paprika paste, if available
• 3 tbsp soy sauce, dark
• 1 jar red wine, dry, vegan
• 50 ml cucumber juice
• 1 chili pepper(s), fresh or dried
• salt and pepper
• 6 gherkins

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 30 minutes; Total time approx. 45 minutes

Cook the dried, approximately 1 x 1 cm soy cubes in the boiling broth in a large pot for about 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, dice the tomatoes and cut the bell peppers and onions into strips, or if you’re in a hurry, prepare some frozen vegetables and canned tomatoes. Drain the soy cubes well in a large sieve, reserving the broth. Let the soy cubes cool. This allows most of the moisture to evaporate, and you don’t have to squeeze the cubes and/or pat them dry. The drier they are, the better. This way, the cubes won’t be so soft to the bite, which many meat-eaters often find annoying with soy. Fry the cubes well and gently in a large non-stick pan (I use vegetable margarine for frying because it doesn’t spatter as much as oil, but everyone does it their own way). Add the onions and sweat until translucent. Add the tomato paste and, if desired, the paprika paste, and deglaze with the rest of the broth. Now add all the remaining ingredients except the cucumbers and cook with the lid closed for about 30 minutes. Add the cucumbers just before the end. You can chop large cucumbers, use cucumber strips, or small gherkins – they give the dish that certain something. We like to serve it with rice, but potatoes or pasta are just as good. My son also loves it simply with a baguette. If the dish isn’t spicy or piquant enough for you despite the salt and pepper, feel free to experiment: For example, we’ve tried using leftovers or simply stirring in Napoli or Arrabiata pasta sauce.