BEEFLESS STEW
Serves: 6 to 8 (makes about 10 cups)
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ large yellow or white onions, chopped into ¾-inch pieces
- 3 ribs celery, chopped into ¾-inch pieces
- 3 medium carrots, sliced lengthwise and cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 2 portabella mushrooms (about ½ pound), cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1½ tablespoon finely chopped garlic (5 to 6 cloves)
- 5 cups water
- 2 pounds white potatoes (I use about 3 large Yukon Gold), cut into ¾-inch pieces
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb blend
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1½ cups green peas (if frozen, thaw first)
- ½ cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- Ground black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat a large soup pot on high with 1 tablespoon of water. When the water begins to sputter, add the onion, celery, and carrot, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently as the edges of the onion browns slightly, and adding a little water as needed to prevent sticking.
- Stir in the mushrooms and garlic, and continue to cook while stirring for an additional 5 minutes, adding water as needed.
- Add the 5 cups of water, potatoes, tomato paste, dried Italian herbs, and paprika. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to a low boil. Stir in the rosemary and cook covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the peas, and cook for 5 minutes more, or until the carrots and potatoes are tender.
- Place 2 cups of the stew (broth and vegetables) into a blender, and blend under very smooth. Stir this back into the pot to thicken the stew, and stir in the parsley. Serve with a few twists of ground black pepper and, if you like, add a small sprig of rosemary as garnish.
NOTES
Peeling the potatoes: I like to peel my potatoes before cooking them, but you can also leave the skins on.
Fresh rosemary: Fresh rosemary is wonderful in this stew, but if you only have dried, use ½ teaspoon.
Fresh rosemary: Fresh rosemary is wonderful in this stew, but if you only have dried, use ½ teaspoon.
