Ingredients
Ingredients
You will need : an oven proof casserole dish or a large sized saucepan with lid, or a slow cooker if you have one.
olive oil a splash or two
plain flour three tablespoons
sweet potato two, chunks
onion one, diced
celery two sticks, diced
carrots three, chunky chop
parsnips three, chunky chop
swede half, diced
marmite two tablespoons
tomato puree one tablespoon
vegetable stock nine cups
bouquet garni one
green beans half a cup
salt few twists
pepper (freshly ground) few twists or more
For the dumplings
hard vegan spread half a cup
self-raising flour one cup
vegan cheese half a cup
(you can use mature cheddar if you are making it vegetarian)
thyme leaves one tablespoon
salt a sprinkle
Preparation
Make the dumplings first by rubbing the marg, flour, flour cheese, salt and thyme, mix together with a few splashes of cold tap water to bring the mixture into a soft dough once achieved split into six ball shapes
Preheat the oven if you are using it to 180/gas 5.
Heat the splash of olive oil in the casserole dish or pan fry the onion and celery over a low heat to soften for about ten minutes, it will go translucent. Remove from pan.
Add the flour into the pan/dish and whisk to make a roux (smooth paste) add a little more oil if it’s too dry in the pan. (wants to be a blond colour once completed) add the marmite and tomato puree and add the stock slowly, whisking all the while to make a smooth liquid base for the stew.
Add the onions and celery back in now and add carrots, parsnip, swede, sweet potatoes, rosemary (keep a little back for later) and bring the stew to a simmer for about ten minutes on the stove
Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Place in the dumplings and sprinkle over the remaining chopped rosemary.
Cook for 30 minutes in the oven. Or simmer on the stove. Your dumplings should puff up and the veggies all nice and tender. If using your slow cooker leave from morning till nite, till you’re ready to eat.
A lovely red wine goes beautifully with this as well as some warm freshly cooked crusty bread.
Enjoy.