It is almost autumn, and cooking seems to go with the lush of the season. I am loving experimenting with vegetarian products even though I am not a vegetarian at the moment, and I have been converting some old stand byes. I was craving my Mother’s Beef Stew and decided to personalize it vegetarian style. With the help of Trader Joe’s this is what I came up with, and it was amazing. My husband could not get enough of this cool weather dish. Served with warm whole grain rolls, this is a true stick to your ribs recipe and should please even the fussiest of eaters all while keeping it lower calorie, lower fat and of course low cholesterol. The sodium is a bit high from the beef-less strips so this is a healthy yet splurge item for me.
Try my stew and you will swear you are dining at your grandmother’s house. Even though this is a vegetarian dish, it has all the components of those traditional home-made memories you remember from your childhood. Enjoy, and remember cooking is much more fun when you do it for someone you love.Love and LightNamaste’Rose
You will need:3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil2 bags mini potatoes1 bag pearl onions1 yellow onion, diced1 bag baby carrots1 bag crimini mushrooms6 celery stalks, diced1 head of garlic, chopped fine or pressed in a garlic press2 packages Trader Joe’s beef-less strips1 box low sodium vegetable stock1/2 cup Cabernet winevegetarian Worcestershire sauce, a few tablespoons1 small can tomato paste2 tablespoons cornstarch for thickening at the endsalt, pepper, dried basil
In a large pot heat extra virgin olive oil.
Add diced onions, celery, garlic, and mushrooms and saute’ until soft and caramelized
Stir in 1 small can of tomato paste
add 1/2 cup red wine,3 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and basil. Mix well.
Add vegetarian beef-less strips and break up into smaller pieces, cooking for a few minutes so the veggie beef soaks up the flavor of the Worcestershire sauce, wine and vegetables.
Stir in 1 box vegetable stock, carrots, potatoes, pearl onions and mix well. Season with a bit more salt, pepper, and dried basil.
Depending on your tastes, you may wish to add a bit more of the Worcestershire sauce for flavor. I was heavy handed, but everyone is different.
Cook stew uncovered for 45 minutes over a medium heat, until the carrots and potatoes break apart with a fork. Stir frequently as your stew cooks.
After the stew is finished, add a few tablespoons of cornstarch for thickening, it should have a gravy consistency and be brown and rich in color.