Veg Irish Stew: Rooted Comfort for a Hearty, Healthy Meal

Irish stew is the much-beloved traditional dish long supposed to be Ireland’s national dish. Traditionally thought of as an incredibly warm-hearted, hearty comforting recipe that warmed not only the belly but hearts of countless generations. This difference aside from the true version of the Irish stew dish originally carrying lamb or mutton, this version was highly embraced by other individuals seeking a comfort food alternative in terms of not carrying meat, but never one to compromise from its original true authentic taste. Characterized by well-balanced combinations of root veggies with full-bodied broths, Healthy Veg Irish stew exemplifies the great piece that fits some cold winter’s evenings: hunger might bring people together on some comfort dish, while its ideal origin would be a place of origin such as Ireland.

Origin of Veg Irish Stew:

Ireland boasts of its origin to the birth of Irish stew as a dish. It was originated as a centuries-old dish in the Irish countryside to be served during farming families. The traditional version contains simple ingredients used locally, namely lamb, potatoes, onions, and carrots. Over the course of years through global cuisines, vegetarian versions have emerged and catered the needs of different diets.

How This Dish Became Famous

Due to Irish immigrants, Irish stew gained immense popularity in the 19th century as it was distributed all over the world. A lot of communities in the world loved it for its ease, affordability, and flavor profile. The creation of a more focused plant-based diet and an increasing interest in eating sustainably have increased its popularity in its vegetarian form. Presently, it is observed and celebrated worldwide as the perfect version of a heart-warming meal in the name of veg Irish stew.

Recipe for Veg Irish Stew:

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour | Preparation Time: 1 hour 20 minutes | Serves 4

Nutritional Information for each serving.

Calories 250 kcal | Protein: 7g | Carb: 40g | Fats: 7g | Fiber 8g | Iron 2mg | Vitamin A IU 6200

Ingredients for Veg Irish Stew:

• 2 big sized potatoes washed and diced
• 2 big carrots, washed, peeled and thinly sliced
• One big parsnip, wash and diced into small pieces
• One big-sized turnip cleaned and diced to small pieces
• One big Leek cleaned by removing the exterior layer and diagonally sliced
• Halve the following green beans – 1cup
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
• 1 cup celery, diced

For the Broth:

• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce, optional for umami

Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Thickener:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch for gluten-free
• 2 tablespoons water for slurry

Garnish:

Chopped fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

1: Prep the Vegetables

Peel and chop the potatoes, carrots, parsnip, and turnip into small bite-sized pieces Slice the leek into very thin rounds and chop the celery. Trim and cut the green beans in half. Shell the fresh peas if using fresh, and leave them aside, or if frozen, leave them in the freezer until needed.

2: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

3: Build the Stew Base

Add the diced potatoes, carrots, parsnip, turnip, leek, and celery. Stir them well to make sure they’re well covered. Use the aromatic oil from the tomato paste. Add vegetable stock and pour in water. Add tomato paste as well as soy sauce. Mix well together. You can add salt and black pepper according to the desired taste.

4: Simmer the Stew

Boil. Let it simmer on low heat. Cover with a lid and let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes till the vegetables become soft.

5: Thicken Broth

Add flour to small bowl; whisk and mix water. The slurry of both should be smooth. Start pouring the slurry into stew in slow pace, stir continuously. Let it cook for additional 5-7 minutes until it gets thick and the stew is thickened with its own broth.

6: Add Remaining Ingredients

Add the green beans and green peas into the pot. Cook it for 5 minutes. Let it taste for additional salt and pepper if needed.

7: Garnish and Serve

Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread or soda bread on the side.

 Cooking Tips for Veg Irish Stew:

Customize Your Vegetables: Feel free to use other root vegetables like sweet potatoes or rutabaga for added sweetness and variety.

Herb Substitutions: Fresh thyme and rosemary may be substituted for dried herbs, adding a brighter flavor.

Make It Gluten-Free: You can use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of flour as a thickener.

Batch Cooking: This stew freezes really well. Cool completely and save in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Conclusion

Veg Irish stew is a true testament to the robust legacy of the culinary world of Ireland, and designed for the palates of modern ages. This stew fills you with wholesome ingredients and nourishing flavors, offering quick comfort food that suits everyone. Be it dinner party or simply one more wholesome weeknight dinner; this Irish stew brings all that taste of Ireland right onto your table. Share it with your friends and family and experience the warmth of this classic dish while you’re whisked away to the Emerald Isle.

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