Craving a hearty, comforting meal that's both delicious and good for you? Look no further than this vibrant vegetarian stew! Packed with seasonal vegetables, this recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that will warm you from the inside out. Imagine tender carrots, earthy potatoes, and vibrant greens simmering in a rich, aromatic broth – a perfect dish for a chilly evening or a satisfying weekend lunch. This stew is incredibly versatile; feel free to adapt it to your favorite vegetables and spice levels.
Beyond its deliciousness, this vegetarian stew is surprisingly simple to prepare. Forget complicated techniques and lengthy cooking times; this recipe prioritizes ease and efficiency without sacrificing flavor. Ready to dive in and create your own bowl of deliciousness? Let's get started with the step-by-step instructions below!
Tools Needed
- Pot
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- Straw mushrooms
- Carrots
- White radish
- Yardlong beans: 30 stalks (approx.)
- Green papaya
- Eggplants
- Bitter melon
- Sugar: 3 teaspoons
- Vegetarian seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Ground pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Chili: 3 teaspoons
- Onions
- Fresh coconut water
- Chopped lemongrass
- Soy sauce: 50ml
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
- Vegetarian oyster sauce: 1 teaspoon
- Cooking oil
- White cabbage
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Preparing the Ingredients
- straw mushrooms, carrots, white radish, yardlong beans, green papaya, eggplants, and bitter melon.
- Peel and chop carrots, white radish, and papaya into bite-sized pieces. Cut yardlong beans into segments. Remove the inside of the bitter melon and cut into small pieces. Slice the eggplants into bite-sized pieces (leave skin on). If straw mushrooms are large, cut in half; for small mushrooms, make a small cut at the stem to prevent them from filling with water during stewing.
Step 2. Building the Flavor Base
- Heat a little cooking oil in a pot, add chopped onions and chili. Stir until fragrant.
- Add straw mushrooms to the pot and stir until golden and fragrant.
- Add carrots and bitter melon to the pot.
- Add soy sauce (adjust amount depending on saltiness), sugar, vegetarian seasoning, garlic powder, ground pepper, chili sauce, and vegetarian oyster sauce. Mix well.
Step 3. Simmering and Layering Vegetables
- Add fresh coconut water and papaya (papaya requires longer cooking time). Bring to a boil.
- Simmer until the vegetables begin to soften. Skim off any foam.
- Add white cabbage.
- Continue simmering for about 3 minutes, then add eggplant and long beans (add long beans towards the end to keep them slightly crisp). Add chopped lemongrass.
- Simmer until all vegetables are cooked to your desired tenderness. Turn off the heat.
Read more: Vietnamese Chicken Stew (Ca Ri Ga): A Flavorful Comfort Dish
Tips
- You can substitute other types of mushrooms for straw mushrooms (e.g., oyster, shiitake, chicken of the woods).
- Feel free to add other vegetables like squash, luffa, and young corn for a richer stew.
- Adjust the amount of spices to your preference. The recipe uses measurements common in the Western region of Thailand, which tends to be sweeter.
- If you don't eat onions, you can substitute with baro, celery, or coriander.
- For a more flavorful stew, consider adding a little vegetarian fish sauce (made from bean sauce or soy sauce).
- You can use different types of liquid for braising, such as fresh water, sugarcane juice, or filtered water, each yielding a unique flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: approximately 400-500
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbs: 70-85g
- Protein: 10-15g
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen vegetables in this stew?
Absolutely! Frozen vegetables work perfectly well. Just add them towards the end of the cooking time, as they cook faster than fresh vegetables.
2. How can I make this stew spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a diced jalapeño, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to increase the heat. Start with a small amount and adjust to your preference.
This delicious vegetarian stew is the perfect comfort food, brimming with flavor and nutrients. Enjoy the satisfying warmth and deliciousness of this easily adaptable recipe. Now go forth and create your own culinary masterpiece!