Hearty Vegetable Stew Recipe

Looking for a warming and comforting meal that can be enjoyed all year round? Try our easy-to-make Hearty Vegetable Stew recipe. This stew is packed with a variety of nutritious vegetables, making it the perfect dish to satisfy your hunger while providing essential vitamins and minerals.

The main ingredients you will need are carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and some garlic for flavoring. You can also add your favorite herbs such as thyme or parsley for extra zest. This stew is not only delicious but also incredibly healthy, providing a good amount of fiber, vitamins C and E, potassium, and antioxidants.

<

p>Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized carrots
• 4 large potatoes
• 3 onions
• 1 celery stick
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 zucchini
• 2 bell peppers (your choice of color)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Herbs for garnish (optional)

Cooking Time: 45 minutesServings: 4 people

Step-by-Step Preparation

To start making this delicious vegetable stew, begin by peeling and dicing the carrots into small cubes. Wash and slice the potatoes into quarters. Cut the onions into thin rings and dice the celery finely.

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat up some olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for about 1 minute until it turns golden brown. This will add an extra layer of flavor to your stew.

Once the garlic is fragrant, toss in the onions and sauté them for another 5 minutes until they soften slightly. Then throw in the potatoes and carrots, stirring continuously to prevent sticking. Continue cooking this mixture until the vegetables start to brown a bit at the edges, which takes about 10 minutes.

Next, add chopped tomatoes along with a splash of water or vegetable stock if you prefer more liquid consistency. Let it simmer for another 20 minutes so that all these flavors meld together perfectly.

Add sliced zucchini and bell peppers towards the end of cooking process; let them cook just long enough until they become tender but still retain some firmness - around 5 to 7 minutes should do nicely.

Garnish & Serve

For garnishing, sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs like parsley or thyme over the top of each bowl. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. The stew can then be served hot directly out of its pot with a side salad if desired.

Nutritional Benefits

This hearty vegetable stew offers numerous health benefits due to its high content of various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in the fresh produce used in it. Carrots are rich sources of beta-carotene which your body converts into vitamin A when needed. Potatoes provide dietary fiber that aids digestion while also helping maintain blood sugar levels stable.

The tomatoes not only enhance flavor but also supply lycopene - an antioxidant known for supporting heart health and protecting against certain types of cancer. Bell peppers are excellent sources of vitamin C, which supports the immune system. Together with other vegetables like zucchini and celery, you get a balanced intake of essential nutrients necessary for overall well-being.

Conclusion

This simple yet satisfying recipe for vegetable stew is perfect whether you're looking to enjoy something warm during cooler weather or simply want to incorporate more fruits & vegetables into your diet. Whether served as part of a main course or alongside bread as part of a light lunch, this dish offers both taste satisfaction and nutritional value.

Try experimenting with different combinations of herbs and spices to suit your personal preferences. Bon Appétit!