stew

My favorite stew is one that is loaded with veggies and cooks all day in the crockpot. Yummm!

1 onion, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
4 potatoes, diced
3 medium carrots, diced
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup frozen green beans
1/2 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
3 cups vegetable broth
3 cups water (more if needed)
1 can stewed tomatoes (optional)
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp. fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients into crockpot in the morning, cooking on low all day (8 - 10 hours). If desired, you may thicken the broth with a tbsp. of cornstarch mixed into a little water.

NOTE: Turn up to high, allow broth to bubble, then add cornstarch mixture or dumplings. Dumplings will take longer to cook in the crockpot (approximately 30 minutes on high).

2 cups unbleached flour
1 1/2 tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups soy or rice milk
1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (may use dried, if desired)

Mix lightly then drop by tablespoon into simmering stew, cover and cook (without lifting the lid) for 15 minutes.

Note: By adding a little less milk and/or a little more flour, you can have drop biscuits (omit parsley, if desired). Add your favorite herbs for delicious herb dumplings/biscuits.