Ingredients:
1/3 package of Gimme Lean ground veggie sausage*
olive oil
2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1/2 a red onion, diced
1 medium potato or several small "new" potatoes, diced
1 medium parsnip, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
water
1 Knorr vegetarian vegetable bullion cube or your preferred bullion (optional)
red wine (1/2 - 1 cup)
potato flakes (to thicken)
2 tsp parsley
1 heaping tsp sumac
1/2 tsp each thyme and oregano
salt to taste
*or use your preferred meat substitute. or, hell, use real meat if you're into that and you're dying to let a vegetarian tell you how to cook stew.
Start off your chopped garlic on low-medium heat in some olive oil. Yes, I'm aware all my recipes start this way.
Add small globs of the gimme lean one at a time, spreading evenly so they are not too piled on top of each other. Allow to brown on the bottom, then flip and give the other side a couple of minutes to brown.
Add your red wine (enough to just cover the sausage) followed by your spices and your chopped onion. The browning, wine and sumac all really contribute to making fake meat taste more legit. Let simmer for a few minutes.
Toss in your chopped parsnip, carrot, and potato, then add enough water to make a souplike consistency. Be your own judge of how much liquid you want, knowing that some will burn off & you'll be thickening it. Also add your bullion cube if you like.
Let this simmer for 10-20 minutes or until the carrots are soft. Then, add a few big spoonfuls of potato flakes to thicken. Stir and simmer for a few minutes more (or if you're like me, just leave it on low while you set up your plates and stuff for dinner). You're done!
My favorite way to eat a stew is to place a buttered (or fake-buttered if you're vegan) slice of bread at the bottom of a bowl, then ladle the stew over it.
