Recipe of the Week: Veggie Goodness Stew

There's something really amazing that happens when you settle down and have a big bowl of soup that you prepared yourself.  Apart from thinking of yourself as a culinary god or goddess (because making soup can't be that easy for everyone, right?), you realize that home cooked food has to be better for you than almost anything you can purchase ready-made at the grocery store or take out from a restaurant.

Prepare to amaze yourself and the lucky folks that get to sup with you!


Veggie Goodness Stew
Serves 6-8 hungry diners
Ingredients
4 stalks celery
4 large carrots, cleaned and peeled
1 large onion
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
4 parsnips, cleaned and peeled
4 turnips, peeled
4 rutabagas, peeled
3 yukon gold potatoes, peeled
3 sweet potatoes, peeled
6 cups veggie or chicken stock
1 T rubbed dry sage
2 bay leaves
Generous squirt of Bragg's Liquid Aminos
Couple good shakes of Pikapeppa Sauce
Grip of fresh flat leaf parsley, minced

To start off, dice every stinking veggie into large chunks and watch your fingers!  In a large stockpot combine the onion, celery, and carrots in a generous squirt of the olive oil.  Add a little salt and pepper to draw out some of the sugars in the onions and carrots.  Saute over medium high heat until the onions are caramelized and the carrots and celery are softened.

Throw in all of the cut veggies and give them a toss in the oil.  When things are sizzling again slowly add your stock, scraping up the flavored bits at the bottom of your pot as you go.  Add the sage, bay leaves, Bragg's, and Pikapeppa.  Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat to a simmer and let your stew stew!

After about thirty minutes to an hour, check to see if your veggies are tender if they are easily pierced with a knife.  Add your fresh parsley, saving a little for garnish.  Divvy up your portions, throw a little more parsley on top, as well as a squirt of olive oil, and a grind of pepper.  Enjoy!