Beautiful October started lovely, with yellow and red tones, photogenic grey skies, and new inspiration. I received the two new books I’ve been longing for since I first heard about their projects: Vegan by Food52 and Heidi’s Near and Far. These are probably the best things October has brought so far, besides the beautiful pigeons that started visiting me every day in the afternoon for a seed snack on my kitchen window sill.
Like everything Food52, Vegan is a collection of simple recipes. For people who are willing to work more healthy foods into their diet, these are plant-based, vegan recipes everyone can afford or prepare. Nothing fancy, just the ones you really need – real food with vibrant whole ingredients. A good granola, a nourishing porridge, a creamy vegan soup, or a veggie hamburger that really stays together – you need to make these almost every week, but never have a really good recipe, and you always waste time browsing hundreds of Pinterest ideas to find a reliable one.
Gena Hamshaw, certified nutritionist and the author of these recipes, had a great contribution to changing the way people think about food, both through her website and her New Veganism column on Food52. There are some vegan classics that everyone’s making these days, but there is always somebody that made them first or made them really balanced.
The photos in Vegan are the perfect celebration of the recipes – simple and vibrant, with minimal styling, in the unmistakable style of Food52’s favorite photographer, James Ransom.
The sweet potato and kale stew is definitely a hit that everyone’s heard about, and although there are hundreds of variations, Gena’s genius idea of adding peanut butter to infuse creaminess turns this recipe into my fall favorite. This stew is not only hearty and comforting, but also a great way to nurture your digestive system during the cold season. It contains a great deal of antioxidants, especially betacarotene, fiber, potassium, and healthy monounsaturated fats. Ginger soothes the digestive system, while turmeric reduces inflammation and protects your body’s cells against oxidative stress. The taste is sweet and sour, the texture is velvety, it’s warm and smells delicious – can you think of a better treat for a rainy day?
Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew with Kale
Ingredients
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup red lentils rinsed well
- 2 ripe tomatoes diced
- 1 cup fresh kale leaves finely chopped
- 1 &1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion to garnish
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 inch ginger piece peeled and minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A pinch cayenne pepper
- Toasted peanuts to garnish
- Black sesame to garnish (*optional-adapted)
Instructions
- Heat the coconut oil into a medium pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and fry until translucent.
- Add the garlic and ginger, and sautee for a minute or two, until the ginger starts to release its flavor.
- Add sweet potatoes, lentils and spices, stir to combine, then add the vegetable broth and tomatoes, bring to boil and let simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the peanut butter and stir to incorporate.
- Transfer the stew into the food processor and pulse one time to half-puree it, or use an immersion blender instead. The idea is to still have some visible sweet potato chunks.
- Add the kale leaves and cook for five more minutes.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper, and serve garnished with green onions, peanuts and black sesame.
Notes
danielle is rooting the sun says
Ana, this is such a beautiful rendition of the recipe. Your photography is stunning, and it’s a pleasure to learn about the benefits of the included ingredients. This is most certainly a delightful addition to a rainy day (we’re expecting an inch within the coming days). ♥
Ana says
Sounds like a plan, rainy days will soon install over here too 🙂 Thank you, dear friend! <3
Sarah @ Bourgeois Essence says
this looks absolutely delicious and perfect for rainy, cold weather… perfect for Switzerland haha I have never though of combining sweet potato and peanut butter because I though they might be to heavy together. I guess I was wrong 🙂
Ana says
Yeah, Gena’s idea is simply genius and just a little bit of peanut butter totally transforms the stew. And it’s not heavy at all! As I remember, Switzerland is bliss even when it’s raining 🙂
rachel @ atheltic avocado says
this is just so comforting and looks like the prefect meatless fall meal!! YUM!!
Mary says
This stew looks very delicious, I love so much sweet potatoes 🙂
Ana says
You’re so sweet, Mary, thank you! Happy to find out about your blog, everything looks so lovely! 🙂
Heather says
Hi! I’m making this recipe right now…it doesn’t say when to add the tomatoes!! I added them w with the vegetable stock…I hope that was right.
Ana says
Hi Heather, adding the tomatoes with the vegetable broth is the best way – I hope the stew turned up delicious! 🙂
Mani says
I just found your blog and am so excited about it. I need to eat so much healthier, but haven’t found anything even remotely attractive. This food looks amazing.
Ana says
Emanuelle, the best changes are made step by step, and I’m so happy my blog is among the ones influencing your diet in a healthier way 🙂 Let me know how this stew turns out, I found it really delicious!
Kathryn @ The Scratch Artist says
Hi Ana,
I just discovered your lovely blog. Your photos are beautiful. And your recipes sound perfectly aligned with my tastebuds: wholesome, vegetable based, and full of flavor. Happy to have found you!
Ana says
Awww Kathryn, thank you so much!!! Your recipes are also an inspiration, happy to find you too! 🙂
Christine // my natural kitchen says
I’ve made this yummy recipe before from Food52’s site and loved it too. I’ve heard such good things about this new cookbook, I’m tempted to add it to my collection. Near and Far is another on my list. Both Gena and Heidi are so lovely and I’m sure their books are both amazing!
Ana says
Hi Christine, Vegan book is a must have for the healthy-diet-beginners, there are a lot of handy how-to’s, from vegan milk to different spices. Heidi’s is a book to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon, next to a cup of good coffee or tea – it is so inspiring and has amazing photos, Heidi is so talented, I just love her!
Rakhee I Boxofspice says
I just found you and I love your healthy recipes! This stew looks delicious and the photography is lovely. Love the bowls! 🙂
Ana says
Hi Rakhee, thank you so much! You photos are also great, and I found a lot of delicious inspiration among your Indian recipes! Happy to find you 🙂