Creamy Soy Curl Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Adapted from http://tiphero.com/creamy-chicken-wild-rice-soup/

• Ready In: 4 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup  uncooked wild rice
• 1⁄2 cup  uncooked basmati rice
• 1  cup onion, diced
• 1  cup carrot, diced
• 3⁄4 cup celery, diced
• 4 -5  garlic cloves, minced
• 1 -2  bay leaf (depending on strength)
• 8  cups vegetable broth (use Better Than Bouillon No Chicken)
• 2  cups water
• 1  tablespoon  italian seasoning
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 5  tablespoons butter
• 1  lb  dried  textured vegetable protein (soy curls)
• 2  tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
• 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2  cups unsweetened coconut milk

Directions

1. Rinse the rice under running water. In a 5-½ quart slow cooker, place uncooked rice, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, broth, water, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.
2. Rehydrate soy curls in broth until soft, drain and squeeze out water. Dice into bite sized pieces. Mix with rosemary and lemon juice and saute in olive oil until browned.
3. Melt butter in a small saucepan.
4. Add the flour and cook for one minute. Whisk the mixture slowly while adding the milk, whisking to remove all lumps and until sauce has thickened and become creamy.
5. Add the bechemel sauce and cooked soy curls to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Let sit 5 minutes, soup will thicken as it stands.