Hearty Vegan Stew Recipe

Vegan stew is a comforting meal that can be enjoyed by many people looking for delicious and healthy options. This recipe focuses on creating a rich and flavorful stew using simple ingredients commonly found in most grocery stores.

The preparation time for this dish is approximately 30 minutes, while the cooking time should take around 1 hour. The yield of this recipe is about 6 generous servings. If you are hosting a dinner party or looking to feed your family, this amount will be more than enough to satisfy everyone's hunger.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 5 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: A handful of fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent, about 5 minutes.

1. Add the sliced carrots, minced garlic, and celery ribs to the pot. Stir well and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened but not browned.
2. Pour in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (including juice), tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into the mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly so that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat down to low and let simmer for about 20 minutes. During this time, continue stirring occasionally to prevent sticking at the bottom of your pot.
4. Add the drained kidney beans into the stew along with any accumulated liquid from the cans. Return the stew back to a gentle simmer and allow it cook another 15-20 minutes until all flavors meld together nicely.

Once done, taste test the dish and adjust seasoning as needed before serving hot garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.

Tips & Variations

• If you prefer a thicker stew texture, add some cornstarch slurry (1/4 cup water combined with 2 tablespoons cornstarch) to your simmering pot and mix it in gently once the beans have been added back into the dish. Let this thickening process happen for about another minute before removing from heat.
• For those who love a bit more spice, consider adding some chipotle peppers or cayenne pepper while you're adjusting flavors at the end of cooking time.

Vegan stew is not only easy to prepare but also offers numerous health benefits. It's rich in fiber and protein from beans, which helps maintain steady blood sugar levels throughout your day. Additionally, vegetables like carrots provide essential vitamins A & C while tomatoes offer lycopene - a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health.

Enjoy this hearty stew as a main course or pair it with some crusty bread for an extra satisfying meal experience. Whether you're serving this dish at home on a chilly evening or sharing it during a casual gathering, the rich flavor and satisfying portion sizes make vegan stew a true crowd-pleaser.

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