Cheezy Vegan Stew Food

THICK, HEARTY ROOT VEGETABLE VEGAN STEW

Steps:

• Peel all vegetables before starting recipe, putting shavings in a stock pot with 6c water and some salt-to-taste to make the stock (or use your stock of choice).
• Once the peeling is done, chop vegetables in order of need, which should kindof work with the cooking times. Heat oil in a large soup pan. add onions, carrots and celery. Cook at medium high heat for at least 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
• Add mushrooms. Cook another 10-20 minutes, stirring regularly. At the height of the mushrooms' releasing their moisture, add almond flour and cook 2-3 more minutes.
• Stir in cubed root vegetables, enough stock to cover them, herbs and salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Remove herb stems and bay leaf. Immersion blender for about 30 seconds (or take out 2 cups and use the blender). Taste test to adjust salt. Add swiss chard and white pepper to taste. simmer 10-20 minutes more.
• If you're not vegan, my husband loves adding parmesan cheese to the final product. He also adores swiss chard stems washed, cut, tossed in oil, sprinkled with parmesan and baked at 400 for 15-20 minutes.

SLOW COOKER VEGETABLE STEW WITH CHEDDAR DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Set the slow cooker to low. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and fry the carrots for 5 mins until just golden, then tip into the slow cooker.
• Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the leeks with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until soft. Add the garlic and stir in the flour. Gradually add the stock, stirring, until the flour has dissolved and there are no lumps. Bring to the boil, then tip into the slow cooker. Add the courgettes, beans and herbs, topping up with water to cover the veg, if needed. Cover and cook for 4 hrs.
• To make the dumplings, tip the flour into a bowl and stir in the suet or butter until evenly distributed. Add the cheese, parsley, ½ tsp cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt. Mix in 3-4 tbsp cold water with your hands to make a soft, slightly sticky dough (add a little more water if needed). Divide into six and roll into balls.
• Add the crème fraîche, mustard, broad beans or peas and spinach to the slow cooker and turn it to high. Arrange the dumplings over the stew, cover and cook for 1-2 hrs more until firm and doubled in size. Scatter with parsley and serve. Will keep for up to three days in the fridge or in the freezer for up to three months.

CHEEZY VEGAN STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the vegetables and seasoning blend, stir, saute about 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
• Add the flour and begin stirring, slowly adding in the soy milk a bit at a time, stirring well, mixing to form a nice gravy.
• Add the 'meatballs' and potato, stir for 2-3 minutes. Add the nutritional yeast and stir until blended. Raise heat a tiny bit.
• Dissolve the starch in 1/4 cup warm tap water, blend well. Pour into the soup pot and stir 2-3 more minutes until sauce is thick and heated through.