Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Wednesday marks the Winter Solstice. It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.  After Wednesday, the days begin to grow longer as the nights become shorter. I find this of great comfort and consider it a worthy reason to celebrate.

To honor the Winter Solstice on Wednesday, Sandy created a warm and earthy stew. It is full of  root vegetables that have been nurtured by the dark ground and rich soil. Eating a bowl of the stew was like standing on a rolling hill in England wearing a non-wool sweater, overlooking a castle and meandering sheep. It tasted like what I think Stonehenge would taste like if history and legend had a flavor.

Winter Solstice Stew

By: S. Boulton

Ingredients

4 C low sodium vegetable broth

3 C water

6 C diced potatoes (I used young potatoes and left the skins on)

3 C diced turnips

2 C chopped carrots

1 garlic clove

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp white pepper

1/4 tsp ground rosemary

1/4 tsp thyme

2 C shredded cabbage

2 C chopped kale

2 tbsp flour

1/2 C non-dairy milk

ground pepper to taste

Make it Happen:

Put the first 11 ingredients (from vegetable broth through thyme) into a large,

5 or 6 quart crock pot on high.  After 3 hours, add cabbage and kale.  Cook for another 2 1/2 hours, then whisk flour,  non-dairy milk and pepper together in a separate bowl until combined and add to crock pot and stir.  Reduce heat to low and cook another half hour, taste and adjust seasonings to your taste (salt, pepper) and serve.  Makes 6-8 servings.

We served the stew with a sweet potato, currant slaw and cranberry walnut biscuits. It felt sustaining and nurturing. I wanted you to have the recipe early so you could create it for your friends and family for your own Solstice Celebration.

Have a delicious day.

Stonehenge image courtesy of sott.net

Tags: compassionate eating, dairy free, E2 friendly recipes, going veg, plant based recipes, plant strong recipes, vegan challenge, vegan entree recipes, vegan holiday recipes, vegan stew, vegan wannabe, vegetarian stew, Winter Solstice recipe, Winter Solstice Stew