Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
This Vegetable Stew with Dumplings is a hearty and nutritious meal, perfect for dinner. Made with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a touch of tamari for a savory kick. The dumplings add a comforting touch to this wholesome stew, their fluffy texture and subtle flavor perfectly complementing the robustness of the vegetables and the richness of the broth.
Stews are a staple in many cultures, offering a comforting and filling meal that can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and dietary needs. This recipe takes a simple vegetable stew and elevates it with the addition of dumplings, creating a dish that is both satisfying and packed with nutrients.
Ingredients
2 teaspoon vegetable stock concentrate 1 cup boiling water 1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence 1 teaspoon oregano 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup turnip, peeled and diced 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup diced carrot 1/2 cup sliced celery 1 clove garlic, minced 2 bay leaves 1/2 teaspoon rosemary 1/2 teaspoon basil 2 cups water 5 teaspoon tamari 2-3 potatoes, peeled and chopped 1 cup frozen peas 2 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoon water Dumplings
1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1/2 cup milk 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
Method
- 1. Blend the vegetable stock concentrate, boiling water, Herbs de Provence, and oregano. Set aside. Herbs de Provence is a blend of dried herbs typical of the Provence region in southeast France. It usually includes herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, marjoram, and sometimes lavender.
- 2. In a large pot, sauté the turnip, onion, carrot, celery, bay leaves, rosemary, basil, garlic, and parsley in olive oil for 8 minutes.
- 3. Add the water, broth mixture, tamari, and potatoes to the pot. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- 4. Add the peas and continue cooking for a few more minutes.
- 5. Remove the bay leaves. Combine the cornstarch and water, add to the stew, and stir until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 6. For the dumplings: Sift dry ingredients together then add parsley. Mix milk with oil and add to dry ingredients, just stir until moistened.
- 7. Drop dumpling mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. Do NOT lift the lid during this time.
The Art of Cooking Vegetable Stew with Dumplings
Vegetable stew with dumplings is a timeless dish that has been cherished across generations and cultures. The robust flavors of the vegetables, simmered slowly to perfection, meld beautifully with the soft, pillowy dumplings, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that is both comforting and satisfying. This dish is not just a treat for the taste buds, but it's also a nutritional powerhouse, brimming with vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the assortment of vegetables used.
Stews have been a cornerstone of global cuisines for centuries, offering a versatile and economical way to utilize available ingredients and leftovers. They are a canvas for creativity, allowing for endless variations based on individual preferences, dietary needs, and regional influences. The inclusion of dumplings in the stew elevates the dish from a simple soup to a hearty meal, adding a layer of indulgence and satiety.
The dumplings, a key highlight of this recipe, are crafted with basic ingredients that transform into fluffy morsels of joy when cooked. They are cooked directly in the stew, allowing them to soak up the rich, savory flavors of the broth, enhancing their taste and texture. The dumplings offer a delightful contrast to the chunky vegetables, their soft, light texture balancing the robustness of the stew.
The art of making dumplings can be a rewarding experience. It involves combining flour, baking powder, and salt with a fat source—usually butter or shortening—to form a crumbly mixture. This is then brought together with a liquid, often milk, to form a soft dough. The dough is then dropped in spoonfuls into the simmering stew, where they expand and rise to the surface as they cook, forming light, fluffy dumplings.
The dumplings not only add a comforting element to the stew but also enrich it with their starchy goodness, thickening the broth slightly and adding body to the dish. They are a joy to bite into, their soft exterior giving way to a tender, bread-like interior that is deeply satisfying.
And this is more than just a meal—it's a culinary experience that warms the soul. It's a testament to the magic that can happen when simple ingredients are combined with love and care. Whether you're making it for a cozy family dinner or serving it at a gathering of friends, this dish is sure to impress with its depth of flavor and comforting goodness.
This Vegetable Stew with Dumplings recipe is a great way to get your daily serving of vegetables. It's a versatile dish that can be adapted to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. So, feel free to get creative and make this stew your own.
This recipe for Vegetable Stew with Dumplings brings the art of cooking into your kitchen. Remember, the beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility. It's perfect for dinner or as a meal prep, and the savory flavors are sure to be a hit at your next meal.