Provencal Veggie Stew
It’s been cold here. Yes, cold! I know, many people who live in colder climates will laugh at that. But, it’s cold for here! And, it’s actually rained a few times. Lots of rain, where the ground is actually wet. Where there’s puddles. And water. And you actually get wet if you go outside.
And I’ve had to wear a jacket and socks! Cold, I tell you!
Is this what winter is like? I think I forgot last year because we never really got a winter last year. I actually really missed it!
So, now, I want hot comforting stews and soups. Something that helps keep you warm. Warm on the inside. That’s where this Provencal Veggie Stew comes in. It’s full of flavor. It’s perfect comfort food. It’s rich and thick, with just the right balance of savory flavors with a little hint of sweetness from the dates. It’s like a warm hug on a cold day!
Oh, and my Provencal Veggie Stew happens to be vegan and gluten-free. But don’t make it because of that, make it because it’s delicious!
And, it’s husband approved. He asked what was for dinner, and I said it was vegetable stew, I could just see him yawn. Boring, he thought to himself, vegetables all cooked and lifeless. Well, I really proved him wrong on this one! He said several times during dinner that he really liked it! Really liked it! And, I sent it with him for lunch, and he was very happy with it! Ha! See, stew can be really good!
I mention ‘Better Than Bouillon’ in the Notes on the recipe card. it’s what I usually use now if I don’t have homemade broth on hand. I love the flavor of it. They have an organic one
Provencal Veggie Stew Recipe
Provencal Veggie Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion thinly sliced
- 1 15 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
- 1 lb mini Yukon golds cut in half if large
- 3/4 cup chopped carrots
- ¾ cup vegetable broth
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 6 large pitted dates chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- fresh black pepper to taste
- 1 zucchini cut into 1/2″ rounds
- Fresh oregano for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and add 1 tablespoon oil. Once the oil is hot, sauté the onions until starting to brown and caramelize, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients except zucchini and fresh oregano to the pot. Cook for about 1 hour or until the sauce has thickened the potatoes are tender, but not soft. Add the zucchini, and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes. Taste for salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh oregano, and serve over cooked rice, if desired.
Recipe Notes
I like to use Better Than Bouillon paste for my broth. In that case, use ¾ cup water plus 1 teaspoon broth paste.
Adapted from Design Mom
Janette (@culinaryginger) says
January 14, 2016 at 7:35 amIt has been cold, and I love it. I also love this hearty stew, it’s perfect for the chilly weather. You have all good things going on in this.
onetipsychick says
January 14, 2016 at 10:09 amI just checked and I have all the ingredients!!!! YUM!
Florian @ContentednessCooking says
January 14, 2016 at 1:31 pmThis looks amazing! Love that you use dates here, a big bowl for me, please! 🙂
dcclark13 says
January 14, 2016 at 2:06 pmYour stew looks so delicious, so thick & rich – when a stew is this hearty? Well, pass me a spoon I need to dig in!
Joanne/WineladyCooks says
January 14, 2016 at 5:30 pmThis sounds amazing, I love the addition of the chopped dates. Your photo is beautiful, it certainly looks as though there are chunks of meat in the bowl. I would love this.
Homemade Food Junkie says
January 14, 2016 at 11:10 pmWe love stew. I was raised on one a week in winter. Yours looks so hearty and delicious! It’s a keeper if the hubby will take it to lunch next day!
Platter Talk says
January 15, 2016 at 7:19 amBeautifully done, Deb! Loving this hearty and delicious looking stew; thanks for sharing!
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
January 15, 2016 at 8:03 amWow, does this get me hungry. Love the use of dates. The subtle sweetness must take this stew to another level. I’ve got to try this one.
Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says
January 15, 2016 at 1:07 pmThis is a must try! A hearty stew is what I need right now!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters says
January 15, 2016 at 1:09 pmthis looks so wonderful and comforting. Pass me a bowl!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
January 16, 2016 at 6:22 amIt’s been cold here too. I’ve been wearing two pairs of pants recently and ski socks trying to trudge through the snow. Not fun. This would be perfect on the long cold days!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
January 22, 2016 at 4:41 pmIt’s so hard to find hearty veggie soups and stews, I love this!
Molly ~ EasycookingwithMolly says
January 22, 2016 at 4:57 pmThe stew looks so comforting and hearty, Love the addition of dates to it – Delicious Recipe.
Mark, CompassandFork says
January 22, 2016 at 6:54 pmThat’s a really comforting looking stew there. So nice and thick, just what you need on a winter’s day.
Mahy says
January 22, 2016 at 7:14 pmLove a heart veggie stew like this any day!
Culinary Flavors says
January 24, 2016 at 12:02 amIt is cold here too and snowy although Greece is not perceived as such we do have cold. This stew looks just the right thing today!
deliciousmeetshealthywp says
January 26, 2016 at 9:21 pmThis is such a comforting and hearty meal! Simply delicious and beautiful pictures!