Chunky Vegetable Stew

It’s that time of the year where we start to crave warming comfort foods. This recipe ticks all the boxes when it comes to a well rounded hearty pot of food.  The ingredients are easily accessible.  It’s nutritiously delicious leaving you fully satiated and the best part is that it’s very easy to make.  The soya chunks add a nice spicy textural component to the meal. This dish is beautifully flavoured with leeks, thyme and garlic. And the magic of this dish, the coconut milk is what brings everything together.

The Chunks 

• 1 ½ cups (250ml+125ml) dried soya chunks
• 3 cups (375ml) boiling water 
• 1 ½  tsp (7.5ml) salt
• 1 tsp (5ml) turmeric powder 
• 1 tbsp (15ml) garlic powder 
• 1 tbsp (15ml) onion powder 
• 1-2 tbsp (15ml – 30ml) chilli powder or mixed masala 
• A tablespoon each of coriander powder, cumin powder.
• 1 tsp (5ml) fresh garlic paste

Add the boiling water and dried soya chunks to a medium size pot.  Let this boil for 6-8 minutes until the chunks  are soft and you are left with about a ½ cup of liquid in the pot.  Turn off the heat.  Toss in all the spice powders and garlic paste.  Give it a good mix. Remove the marinated soya chunks from the pot and then add a good splash of oil to the pot.  Heat the oil on medium heat.  Toss the chunks into the oil and cook for 8-12 mins.  

When the chunks are cooked and masalas are fragrant, remove the pot from the heat and keep aside.  

The Stew mix ingredients 

• A splash of oil 
• 2 cups finely sliced leeks 
• 1 tbsp (15ml) garlic paste 
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme or a ½ tsp dried thyme.  
• 1 large plum tomato diced
• 600g frozen stew mix (I used McCain’s)  you may swap frozen for fresh vegetables as well.  (You will need diced potatoes, carrots, green beans, peas, broccoli stems essentially any veg you like)  
• 1 ½  tbsp (15ml + 7.5ml) vegan stock powder 
• ½ tsp salt 
• 3 cups boiling water
• 1 Cup (250ml) coconut milk (you may add the entire can if you like for a richer creamier stew)
• Sliced red chillies to serve for a bit of a bite

Let’s Cook 

Add the oil to a big pot.

Toss in the leeks and fry until soft.  

Add the garlic paste and thyme – cook it out for a few seconds.  

Throw in the tomatoes and let this cook for a few minutes.  You may add a small splash of water to deglaze the pot.  

Toss in the vegetable stew mix, stock powder and salt.  Give this a good stir.  Add the boiling water.  Bring to a boil and let this simmer until the vegetables are cooked.  Add the coconut milk and simmer for a few more minutes.

Now spoon in the curried soya chunks –  simmer for a minute or two.

Serve hot with breads of your choice or as is and for a bit of a bite, serve with sliced red chillies.