vegan filipino chicken afritada

ingredients

• ½ bag (4 oz.) soy curls
• 1 tablespoon better than bouillon vegan chicken broth paste
• 2 ⅓ cups water
• ½ tablespoon avocado oil (or cooking oil of choice)* (see notes)
• 3 dried bay leaves
• ½ large onion, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium bell peppers, diced
• 2 vegan hot dogs (we used Field Roast Frankfurters)
• 3 small red potatoes, medium diced* (see notes)
• 2 small carrots, medium diced* (see notes)
• 1 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce (we used Trader Joe’s
• 8 oz. frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional add-ins:

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (to deepen the flavor)
• ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning (for additional chicken flavor)

instructions

1. Prepare the soy curls. Mix the vegan chicken broth paste into a small pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Add the soy curls into the pot and use a spoon to mix and make sure that every piece is covered with water. Set aside and allow the soy curls to rehydrate for 10 minutes.
2. In the meantime, set a large pot over medium heat and add in the oil. Once heated, add in the bay leaves and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add in the onions and garlic, and continue cooking until the garlic is fragrant the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add in the bell peppers and vegan hot dogs, and cook for 3 minutes more.
4. Next, add in the carrots and potatoes. Mix until well combined an allow this to cook for 4 minutes, mixing often. The carrots and potatoes should be slightly softened but not cooked through.
5. Add the tomato sauce, peas, and the soy curls with the broth. Mix until everything is combined.
6. Add the remaining ⅓ cup of water into the tomato sauce can, swirl it around to get any remaining sauce and pour that all into the pot. 
7. Cover, and simmer on medium low until the carrots and tomatoes are cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.
8. Add in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. We added a lot of black pepper as it is one of our favorite spices!
9. Remove from heat and cool before serving. You can remove the bay leaves or just eat around them. Serve with rice and enjoy!