Meatless Monday with Nourishing Vegan Stew

Welcome (back) to the Miratel blog for another edition of our Meatless Monday recipe series. The Meatless Monday pledge aims to reduce meat consumption 15% by eliminating it one day per week to preserve the health of the planet. Miratel pledged to support this great movement and we consider it as part of our CSR business strategies as it spreads awareness of the impact of food (and other personal) choices on our environment. Our weekly recipe share is designed to make going meat-free easier.

The time may have sprung ahead but the evidence of winter remains and a delicious Nourishing Vegan Stew will warm us up and fill our body with nutrients. What makes this stew so incredible is that you can throw all the ingredients in a slow cooker, crock pot or on the stove top and let simmer for 4-6 hours (just make sure there is enough liquid throughout as it will thicken). This great recipe was taken from the Reboot with Joe health and wellness website. Reboot with Joe is a company founded by Joe Cross after the phenomenal success of his documentary Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

Nourishing Stew Ingredients:

Image from rebootwithjoe.com

• 1 24-oz can of chickpeas
• 1 12-oz can of coconut milk
• 2 cups of uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• 1 head of organic Swiss chard, kale or collards, chopped coarsely
• 1-2 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup cauliflower, chopped
• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 leeks, sliced finely
• 1/4-1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 Tbsp. cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon of Himalayan or Sea salt (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped to garnish

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients (except fresh herbs) and cook gently on low until the flavours have melded together and the quinoa has expanded. I like to allow it to simmer most of the day for added flavour.
2. Dish up, top with garnish, and enjoy this hearty stew knowing that you’re nourishing your body.

Feel free to mix and substitute ingredients to suit what you have on hand or your palate. For example, “if you don’t have cauliflower – use broccoli or butternut squash. If you don’t have quinoa on hand – use buckwheat or rice. If you don’t have coconut milk – use broth, almond milk or a combination. The possibilities are endless.” You can also change chick peas for cannellini beans for a more creamy stew or add tomatoes and a little hot chili pepper. If you find the stew is too “soupy” just let it simmer a little longer and if it is too thick, add water. The quinoa will soak up the liquid as it cooks and will expand. This recipe will taste even better the next day so make a big batch and you’ll be set for lunch or another dinner.

“If you deal with pesky food allergies or sensitivities this recipe is free from animal products, gluten, corn, soy, grains, sulphites, yeast and nightshades but not free from delicious flavor.”

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to visit the Meatless Monday website and join us in taking the pledge today. Spread the word at home and at work and promote CSR business initiatives to make your green call centre, office, factory, shop, restaurant or salon even greener.

Check out Joe’s website and the trailer below for more information on Rebooting.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/18732737#[/vimeo]

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Miratel Solutions is a Toronto call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional fundraising services including telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery services, donation caging, donation processing and other donor management services. We are committed to our CSR business values in all contact centre services and mail house operations and advancing the missions of the nonprofits we proudly serve.