How about something that’s hearty and full of flavor, something warm and comforting, something with star anise, perhaps? Today’s recipe comes to us from Chow Vegan, author of one of our favorite plant-based food blogs, chowvegan.com. Being vegan for over 10 years has given her the opportunity to perfect her cooking skills, and it shows in her recipes like the one below, which takes vegan food to a whole new level of yum!
Take it away, Chow Vegan:
“I love the very distinct licorice taste and aroma of star anise. You may recognize the taste as it’s the primary flavoring in Chinese 5-spice powder. Normally used in slow cooked meat dishes, I decided to try star anise with seitan and root vegetables in a kind of red-cooked dish. Red cooking or Chinese stewing is a Chinese cooking technique that turns ingredients a deep red-brown color by braising in a dark soy sauce flavored broth.”
“With no meat, it cooks fairly quickly, basically it’s done when the veggies are soft. Makes for a quick, satisfying weekday meal and like most stews, it’s even better the next day when the flavors combine even more.”
Read on for the recipe, and for your chance to win free Earth Balance®!
Ingredients
2-3 pieces whole star anise
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon water
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash of cinnamon
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2″ piece of fresh ginger, minced
8 ounces seitan chunks
3 medium red potatoes
1 medium carrot
1/2 medium daikon
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 green onion stalk, chopped
Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl, mix well and set aside. Peel and slice the carrot at a diagonal, peel and cut the potatoes and daikon into 1″ chunks, add to the sauce bowl along with the seitan. Mix, making sure everything is well covered in the sauce.
Heat a wok until it’s hot, add the oil, swirl to coat the wok. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for a few seconds. Add the bowl ingredients, give it a few quick tosses and add water to just barely covering. Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the water is absorbed and the vegetables are done, about 20 – 25 minutes. Discard the star anise pieces and garnish with the chopped green onions. Serve with crusty, French bread slathered in Earth Balance® Organic Coconut Spread for a hearty and filling meal.
First off, who’s making this stew for dinner tonight? Secondly, can we come over?!?
Do you have any spice secrets that you use to liven up your cooking? What’s your special ingredient for giving a meal that exotic touch?
We’d love to know about your best and unexpected spice combos… let us know below in the comments and you’ll be automatically entered to win free Earth Balance® in our Everyday Giveaway!
