Hearty Root Vegetable and Mushroom Stew
This stew tastes best with a combination of two or three types of root vegetables or winter squashes.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons Organic Valley unsalted butter
2 medium onions, minced
1 celery rib, minced
1 medium carrot, peeled and minced
Sea salt
1/2 pound oyster mushrooms, stems trimmed, wiped clean, and sliced
1 pound crimini or white mushrooms, stems trimmed, wiped clean, and quartered
6 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press
1 tablespoon Muir Glen organic tomato paste
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/2 cup dry white wine or water
3 cups Pacific organic vegetable stock
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 pounds root or winter vegetables (rainbow carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, yams, etc), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
Ground black pepper
Directions:
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrot and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are well browned, about 15 minutes.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and mushrooms, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring often, until their liquid is released and evaporates, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until a dark, thick fond forms on the bottom of the pot, 5 to 8 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the wine, scraping up the browned bits. Stir in the broth, water, root vegetables/squashes, potatoes, and bay leaves and bring to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot partially (the lid should be just off center to leave about 1 inch open), and cook until the stew is thickened and the vegetables are tender, about 1 hour. Off the heat, remove the bay leaves and stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving. Serves 6