How to make soy-free vegan chorizo, aka Quinrizo

I absolutely LOVE soy chorizo, especially the Trader Joe’s brand (which is made from non-GMO soybeans). It’s quick, spicy, and super versatile. However, lots of people don’t eat soy, and TVP (texturized vegetable protein) isn’t an “unprocessed” food. So I have been playing with the idea of using quinoa instead of TVP, making this both soy-free and unprocessed. It is Husband Tested and Approved!

This recipe requires a couple of steps, so it’s not super quick. However, it does make 3 cups of finished Quinrizo, which you can use in a variety of recipes or freeze for later. You have to make annatto-infused olive oil, which gives it that signature chorizo color and flavor. The other key ingredient is a chipotle chile canned in adobe sauce. Read the labels on these, which are found in the Mexican aisle of most large grocery stores. Some contain stuff you don’t want, like soybean oil (GMO) or wheat flour. The La Morena brand had the fewest ingredients of the three in my store. Since you only use one of these smoky, spicy peppers, I suggest freezing the rest on a sheet of waxed paper. After they are frozen, roll them up and pop them into a plastic bag or container; pull one out of the freezer when you need it.

Soy-free vegan chorizo, aka Quinrizo
Makes about 3 cups

1 C. (180 g) dry quinoa, red or tan or mixed
1-3/4 C. (430 ml) vegetable broth or filtered water
1 medium tomato (110 g)
1/2 large or 1 small white, brown, or yellow onion (110 g)
1 chipotle pepper canned in adobe sauce
3 cloves garlic
1 T. (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1-1/2 t. (3 g) cumin powder
1 t. (2 g) smoked paprika
1 t. (2 g) dried oregano

3 T. (45 ml) annatto oil, recipe follows

Rinse the quinoa and drain well. Add the quinoa and water or broth to a medium saucepan with a lid, cover, and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Let sit with the lid on at least 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Quinoa should be on the dry side.

Wash, core, and quarter the tomato, removing the seeds and goo inside. Add to the bowl of a food processor.

Cut the onion in half through the stem, then peel off the skin. Cut the onion into chunks and add to the food processor.Peel the garlic cloves and add them to the food processor with the chipotle pepper, vinegar, and spices. Process until a fairly smooth mixture.

Add the cooked, fluffed quinoa to a large mixing bowl, then pour over the annatto oil and stir until completely coated. Add the mixture from the food processor and mix completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight.Heat 1 T. (15 ml) olive oil in a large nonstick saucepan or cast iron frying pan on medium heat, then add the mixture and cook for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to keep it from sticking. Once cooked, you can use the mixture as chorizo in any recipe calling for it.

How to make annatto oil
Makes 3/4 C. (180 ml)

1/4 C. (40 g) annatto seeds
3/4 C. (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil

Put the seeds in a heavy plastic zip bag, close the bag, and crush with a rolling pin. Add to the oil in a small saucepan. Warm the oil over low heat for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 30 minutes.Strain the oil into a clean glass jar using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Store in the refrigerator.

You can use vegan chorizo to make…
Dirty rice
Cheesy pasta casserole with sausage and greens
And on Monday, chorizo-potato-fennel hash!

Previous posts on October Unprocessed:
October Unprocessed 2012 begins Monday
10 tips to get ready for October Unprocessed
Download the excellent October Unprocessed FAQ Guide by Andrew Wilder and Stacy Spensley
October Unprocessed Week 1: Breakfast
Unprocessed breakfast: Brown rice with toasted sesame oil and furikake
How to make an extract
October Unprocessed Week 2: Lunch
Smoky white bean and kale soup with coconut bacon

Today’s post is part of our mission to help you rebuild your health through food and lifestyle choices. Look for posts on Mondays featuring gluten-free, sugar-free recipes made with healthy plant-based ingredients, Wednesday essays, and Friday giveaways (when available.)

If you can’t find annatto seeds, you can order them here:

Tagged as: annatto, apple cider vinegar, chipotle pepper, cumin, garlic, olive oil, oregano, red quinoa, smoked paprika, tomato, vegetable broth, yellow onion