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I think a lot of the food that we should be eating must be raw. Just like the Sadguru of India says, “In order to cure inertia, and not only be awake but alert as possible, fifty percent of the food we eat should be in its raw form. If you eat dead foods, well – you can’t raise the dead!” Still, balance is very important, and cooked foods are just as important as raw foods. So what about the other fifty percent? A good hardy stew is on my list of things to eat for the cold months that lie ahead. To be frank, for me, it won’t be that cold as I do live in the Mediterranean. Days are warm but evenings can get pretty chilly, especially because of the way the houses are built, and because there is no central heating!
I have come across many stew recipes that look absolutely stunning and delicious, but – let’s be honest, who has the time to sear all the different kinds of vegetables used in a recipe – separately? This is one of the many methods used in order to make a stew. That alone will take up to an hour, and who has that kind of time?
I love how easy this recipe is. It doesn’t complicate things too much. We’re not getting fancy here. No. This is a hardy stew that begins with the pulverisation of organic celery stalks, garlic cloves, and onions. I love adding celery to my stew as it really adds a note that reminds me of when I was a child, and my mother used to make me bean stew. I thought it would be a nice twist to add gnocchi. I love how small they are – like little golden jewels in a sea of ruby red of herb and wine infused gravy. These are fresh gnocchi which means they cook in less than 5 minutes! Now that truly is -highly convenient, and delicious, don’t you think?
After pulverising the celery, garlic, and onions in a food processor – no chopping required, we then add this mashed goodness to a pot that is quite generously oiled with olive oil. The chopped carrots and beets get thrown in, and of course all the spices and wonderful herbs. At this point we need to cook the vegetables for about 20 minutes or until you see your vegetables start to caramelise. This might take some time since the celery and onion mash release plenty of water that needs to be cooked off. Then in go the flour, the red wine, and tomato sauce. Let it bubble baby! Once you see your stew is trying to speak to you with those bubbles bursting up on the surface like lips that want to speak, add in the white potatoes and cook on medium heat with the lid on for 15 minutes. Timing is everything. Then, after fifteen minutes, add in the sweet potatoes, and cook with the lid on stirring occasionally for 30 min. After 30 minutes, add in the Gnocchi and cook that for 5 minutes, and – voila! No doubt – The perfect healthy comfort food, and did I mention that it’s – a one pot vegan meal? Serve in your favorite bowl and top with chopped coriander or parsley. This recipe is versatile as you can add in whatever vegetables you prefer and you can really make it your own. Enjoy it, starseeds!
Ingredients:
3 cups chopped carrots
4 cups chopped sweet potatoes
6 cups chopped potatoes
2 onions
6 small beets
A large handful of celery (with leaves)
2 garlic cloves
4 tablespoons flour,
11/2 cups of red wine
7 cups of water
1 1/2 cups fresh gnocchi not dried
1 stick of cinnamon
1/2 tbsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp pepper
Fresh oregano or dried oregano
Dried Bay leaves
Fresh Thyme
Fresh Rosemary
5 tablespoons of salt
1 veggie stock cube
Steps:
To a food processor or you’re going to add in the celery, garlic cloves, and onions. process until mashed. Set aside. To a pot add some olive oil, the mishmash and carrots, beets, and herbs (dried oregano, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, salt, pepper) and let cook for 20 min. Ur veg should be caramelized. Add Flour, and mix with a spoon. Add wine, tomato sauce, water, broth cube, cinnamon stick, potatoes. Cook with lid on for 15 min. Then add the sweet potatoes and cook for 30 min. Finally add in fresh gnocchi and cook for 3 minutes.