gluten free cornmeal dumplings with red beans and kale

Gluten Free Cornmeal Dumplings with Red Beans and Kale Recipe

I have a question for my gluten-free vegan readers – do you really want vegan food that tastes “meaty?” Honestly, I am curious because I often hear vegan and vegetarian food described as having a “meaty substance” and yet these are dishes for people who have decided, for one reason or another, to eliminate meat from their diet.

I suppose the point is that by adding ingredients to a vegan or vegetarian dish that are “meaty” it makes it more palatable to people who think that meat is essential to a meal (like my husband).

But is “meaty” really the right adjective? Maybe not – I think the correct word is “umami.” Umami is defined as savoriness and is one of the 5 basic tastes, the other 4 being sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Adding savoriness to a meatless dish would certainly make it more complete for someone accustomed to eating meat.

As we head into fall I love the idea of one-pot meals that are filling and wholesome and somewhat traditional but with a twist. I also love the idea of leaning into a less meat-filled diet and of packing more nutrients and fiber into my recipes where ever I can.

This dish is meat-free, packed with fiber from the red beans, filled with nutrients from the kale and has a savoriness, or “umami” if you will, not necessarily associated with a meatless meal. It also happens to be topped off with dumplings which kind of distracts from the fact that it is filled with kale for people who “don’t like that green stuff”(like my husband).

This simple and savory Gluten Free Cornmeal Dumplings with Red Beans and Kale recipe started with a package of Hurst Family Harvest Bayou Cajun Red Bean Soup Mix which contains high quality, non-GMO beans and a flavor packet filled with spicy, smoky, all natural, gluten free ingredients and no MSG. It gets an extra boost of umami from dried mushrooms, gluten free soy sauce and a splash of balsamic vinegar.

gluten free recipes cornmeal dumplings with red beans and kale

5 from 1 vote
gluten free cornmeal dumplings with red beans and kale
Print Recipe

Gluten Free Cornmeal Dumplings with Red Beans and Kale Recipe

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time1 hr 15 mins
Total Time1 hr 30 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 214kcal
Author: Gluten Free & More

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Hurst Family Harvest Bayou Cajun Red Bean Soup Mix
  • 1 onion - chopped
  • 1 ounce dried porcini or shitake mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound kale - ribs removed and coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¾ cup gluten free flour blend
  • ¾ cup corn meal
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 bunch green onions - minced, use divided
  • Crushed red pepper – optional garnish

Instructions

  • Pour the beans into a pot, cover with warm water and let soak for 4 hours or over night reserving the flavor packet. Drain the water, add the onion, dried mushrooms, reserved flavor packet along with 10 cups of fresh water and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 1 – 1 ½ hours or until the beans are tender. Add the soy sauce, pepper, kale and balsamic vinegar, cover and simmer for another 20 minutes. You may need to add a little more water if you want your beans soupier.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, corn meal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Add the olive oil and water and whisk until combined and fairly smooth. Add ½ cup of the minced green onions and stir, reserving the remaining green onions for garnish.
  • Taste the beans and add some more salt and black pepper if needed. Drop the cornmeal mixture onto the simmering beans by big tablespoonfuls. Cover the pot and let simmer for another 15 minutes. Serve with the remaining green onions and some crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Cornmeal Dumplings with Red Beans and Kale Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 214 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 350mg15%
Potassium 513mg15%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 6g24%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 5694IU114%
Vitamin C 70mg85%
Calcium 137mg14%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner’s. This blog accepts free manufacturers’ samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Affiliate links may be included in this post.

Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.
Tags: Beans Cornmeal Dairy Free Dinner Dumplings Kale Savory Southern
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  1. September 23, 2011

    For me, “meaty” really means “hearty” or “substantial”–I am never thinking about the flavor of meat when I use that adjective! To me, umami is something else altogether. And the only time I would refer to the texture would be so that meat-eaters would have an idea of what my recipe is like (as with my faux ground meat that I used in lasagna or tortiere). Now, THIS dish sounds fabulous to me–meaty, but no meat, and tasty and umami and hearty all at once! A must-try (though I guess I’ll have to sub for the soup mix. . . sigh). And of course those dumplings look to die for!

    1. September 26, 2011

      OK, well now I have the expert opinion! Thanks Ricki. My son is a vegetarian but he does it for health reasons and he actually likes meat so his opinion doesn’t count – he always wants things to taste “meaty” :)

  2. September 23, 2011

    I love dishes made of beans and greens. So simple, yet so good for you. Love the addition of the cornmeal dumplings. Looks great.

    1. September 26, 2011

      Thanks Kalinda.

  3. September 24, 2011

    Umami sounds so so SO much better than meaty…I have to agree that that word just sounds gross! I used to be vegetarian and experimented with “meaty” foods but honestly I liked the simplest things best…like pasta with pesto sauce and sautéed mushrooms..no meaty substances needed:)

    1. September 26, 2011

      Thanks and I think if I were vegan or vegetarian, I would agree with you!

  4. September 24, 2011

    I’m all about these cornmeal dumplings for sure, Carol! :-) I don’t know that I’m qualified to talk about “meaty” or “umami,” but when I make vegetarian or vegan dishes for main meals that my carnivore husband will like, I’m looking for satisfying and hearty so that the meat is not missed. Beans and mushrooms are usually successful in that area. My vegetarian/vegan “chili with the mushrooms” is one of his favorites. :-) And mine, too … I love that I feel satisfied, but I don’t feel “weighed down” after eating it. Great-looking meal, Carol!

    xo,
    Shirley

    1. September 26, 2011

      Thanks Shirley!

  5. Nancy
    September 24, 2011

    Carol, I scratched my screen…I swear I could smell the aroma!
    My hub’s loves anything with red beans! This is an automatic winner..will make this week! Thanks
    Ciao,
    Nancy

    1. September 26, 2011

      Haha and thank you Nancy!

  6. Carol, This looks incredible. I’m always trying to sneak vegetarian dishes in on my husband too. I’ve tried making cornmeal dumpling before without success, so I’m anxious to try this recipe. Thanks, Nancy

    1. September 26, 2011

      Thanks Nancy – these are pretty easy. Let me know what you thibnk if you make them :)

  7. September 25, 2011

    Great idea with the dumplings, I’ve had a big pot of beans simmering away all weekend and they would finish the dish perfectly, yumm…

    1. September 26, 2011

      Yes, they add some heartiness to a pot of beans!

  8. Pingback: Weekly Gluten-Free Roundup – September 25, 2011 « Celiac Kitchen Witch

  9. September 26, 2011

    I am not vegan, but if I were I do not think I would really be looking for that “meaty” flavor or texture. I agree with Ricki in that I think of “meaty” as being hearty, more than anything. And these dumplings sound absolutely AMAZING!! ;)

    1. September 26, 2011

      Thanks Kim!

  10. September 29, 2011

    Oh, Carol. I’m not a vegetarian or a vegan, but I love soup, beans, and kale. When you throw in some dumplings, you’ve got my attention. I made the first pot of soup of the season yesterday. With our temps dropping into the 30s this weekend, we’ll be ready for another pot and now I’ve got to have dumplings.

    1. October 6, 2011

      Wow, temps in the 30s?!? Ours just dropped into the high 70s and I have already been making soup :)

  11. October 31, 2011

    dear carol, it is such a great question you ask. as a vegan, and a cook (and blogger) for my family, i hesitate to use any meat type names in my recipes. so i would never say “mock” anything or “meat” or “butter”. i love your recipes and will be making your pb cookies (with a flax egg) and the african stew soon. plus this one! thanks for sharing! lisa

    1. November 1, 2011

      Thank you Lisa!

  12. debbie
    September 16, 2012

    I think of “meaty” as being a dense, chewy texture. I can see where the savory flavor aspect comes in, but I think it’s more about density. At least when I use it.

    1. Gluten Free & More
      September 16, 2012

      Thanks, that makes sense!

  13. Renata
    January 23, 2013

    I have been vegetarian (and now vegan) most of my life and I love “meaty” and fake meat and all of that, though generally (now) avoid a ton of it because of its being processed. I am extremely against factory farming and the horrible abuse of animals within the nightmare of meat production. I am also environmentally-concerned. And I have never been healthier! I just never understood why a vegetarian or vegan is not supposed to desire or love ‘meaty’ or meat texture or even taste. I love it all. I just have a heart and soul and a conscience. Thanks for this great recipe!

    1. Gluten Free & More
      January 23, 2013

      Thanks! My son is so much healthier since adopting a vegan diet, it is really wonderful! Enjoy the recipe!

  14. Doug Newsman
    April 14, 2015

    One question – is the Red Bean Soup mix gluten free?
    It does not say so but for it not to be would defeat the purpose of the recipe.
    Thanks

    1. Gluten Free & More
      June 1, 2015

      Hi Doug, Yes! haha you’re correct that would defeat the purpose, it is in fact gluten-free. Enjoy!
      xo,
      Carol

  15. Pingback: Gluten Free Umami Burgers | Recipes | Simply Gluten Free

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