This incredible vegan paella comes from Mariel Hemgingway – actor, presenter, author, speaker, environmental activist, yogi, and holistic living goddess.

Yes, Mariel is the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. However, Mariel has become famous in her own right for her talent as an actor, as well as her expertise in holistic living. At the age of thirteen, Mariel took Hollywood by storm with her debut performance in Lipstick. Four years later her work in Woody Allen’s Manhattan earned her an Oscar nomination. She has since appeared in thirty films, made numerous television appearances, and hosted several environmental and humanitarian documentaries.

For over twenty years, she has been pursuing her passion for yoga and health (have you seen her poses?!) and has established herself as one of the most respected voices of balanced health and well-being, speaking and leading wellness retreats all over America. Her website is a great resource for natural living with home and lifestyle tips, healthy recipes, and more.

Mariel is the author of four books, including: Finding My Balance Mariel Hemingway’s Healthy Living From the Inside Out, Mariel’s Kitchen, and The Willing Way with her partner Bobby Williams.

With an emphasis on fresh, local, seasonal ingredients, Mariel’s Kitchen shares 75 super easy, nutritious, delicious, gluten free, sugar free meals that are organized by season. These fresh dishes contain simple accessible ingredients. There are easy summer breakfasts, hearty winter dinners, delectable desserts, snacks, salad dressings and marinades, as well as delicious drinks. Some of my favorites include: Jicama, Carrot and Cucumber Salad; Roasted Artichoke, Eggplant, and Tomato Stacks; Warm Mediterranean White Bean Salad; Chocolate Almond Walnut Brownie Cake; and this delicious Vegan Paella I’m sharing today.

This paella is super quick and easy, and is absolutely incredible. I’ve served this to many dinner guests, and it always gets rave reviews. This recipe is really flexible and forgiving, too. Add in any veggies you have on hand.

Mariel’s Kitchen is not a vegetarian cookbook, but Mariel is mindful about offering vegetarian substitutions. She also shares a comprehensive list of seasonal fruits and vegetables, some great tips on going green, how to best utilize local resources, shopping tips for purchasing organic and sustainable foods, a pantry staples list, and her favorite core recipes that become the foundation for multiple dishes.

One of my favorite things about this book is how Mariel stresses the importance of creating “a repertoire of doable, nutritious recipes that are tasty enough to repeat and that share lots of ingredients.” I really think this is the secret to success in any healthy kitchen for busy people.

All of the recipes are accompanied with beautiful images, easy-to-follow instructions, and heartfelt stories about Mariel’s love of fresh food, passion for the environment, and the connection between mind, body and spirit. It’s really inspiring.

Learn more about Mariel Hemingway.