Maximizing Veggies in Your Lunch or Dinner: Delightful Stews and Soups

When planning meals, vegetables are a true must. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, including a variety of brightly colored and nutritious vegetables in your dishes is essential for a fulfilling and healthy diet. In my experience, soups and stews are fantastic options for incorporating an abundance of veggies in your lunch or dinner.

Vegetable Stir-Fry

Vegetables are a versatile component in a variety of recipes, from stir-fries to stews. One of my go-to recipes is a vibrant stir-fry that utilizes a wide range of colorful and tasty vegetables. Here’s how you can prepare it:

Ingredients:

Spiral colored pasta (green, red, and purple) Sliced red and yellow peppers Baby carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, and asparagus spears Green beans Red onion and cherry tomatoes Meat or tofu (optional)

Steps:

Cook the pasta and drain it. Blanch the cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, and green beans. Steam all the vegetables together until they are easy to eat. Mix the steamed vegetables in a bowl. Cover with sliced red onion and scatter the cherry tomatoes on top. Prepare the dressing by whisking together 1 1/2 cups vinegar, 1 1/2 cups olive oil, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and 6 tablespoons salt. Pour the dressing over the salad. If you are feeding hungry people, chop a couple of chicken breasts into chunks and mix them into the salad.

Trades and Traditions: Farm Fresh Vegetable Dishes

During harvest season, the combination of vegetable-based meals was a must on the farm. Some of the key ingredients that made up these meals include:

Cabbage Collards Butter beans Corn String beans Beets Onions Peppers Vinegar Sweet and white potatoes

A popular dish among these was the Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew. Here’s how you can prepare it:

Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

Variety of root vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, beets, etc.) Stock or vegetable broth Herbs and spices (optional) Garlic (optional)

Steps:

Pore root vegetables into a slow cooker. Cover with stock or vegetable broth. Add herbs and spices as desired. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. Season with garlic, if using. Serve hot.

Additional Tips:

Adding a bit of meat or tofu can enhance the flavor, but is not necessary. To increase the nutritional value, you can also consider using a variety of herbs and spices to season the stew.

Lifelong Memorable Feasts

During the harvest season, every farm family would host a large group of helpers. A typical meal would consist of a variety of vegetables, often with a country ham. This is a time when the community would come together and share a hearty meal:

Meal Highlights:

Variety of vegetables Country ham Seasonal fruits (cakes) for dessert Well water for drinking, cold enough to refreshingly quench the palate

Feeding the entire group and watching the older folks take a well-deserved nap under the shade tree was a cherished moment. The sense of community and the rich flavors of the harvest season make for some of the best days of my life!

Vegetable-based recipes such as stews and soups are not only delicious but also offer an array of health benefits. They are perfect for those looking to boost their vegetable intake and add variety to their meals. If you're interested in exploring more recipes, Gimme Some Oven is a great resource for creative and nutritious vegetable recipes.