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Monday 26 April 2021

Somerset Stew : Vegetarian : Easily adapted for those who like meat!

I know many readers are vegetarian, while others choose to eat meatless once or twice a week. Menu plans are always a personal choice. Today's recipe suggestion is for Somerset Stew, a vegetarian dish full of flavour and goodness, which can be easily adapted for meat lovers by adding sausages!

Why is this called Somerset Stew? It's the addition of cider! The County of Somerset in South West England has many apple orchards which makes it a veritable haven for lovers of cider, or scrumpy as it is known locally.

A traditional cider apple orchard, with sheep grazing

The sweet golden nectar is found throughout the county, with offerings ranging from cloudy artisan varieties made on site, to the refined ciders of large commercial companies. Cider can make a nice addition to many stew/casserole recipes like the one featured today. Read more about Somerset here


Somerset Stew
Serves Four
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 leek, chopped
1 tbsp tomato purée
400g can chopped tomato
200g can butter bean, drained
400g can flageolet bean, rinsed and drained
200ml dry cider
250ml vegetable stock
few sprigs thyme, leaves only

Make it non-veggie
2 sausages
1 tsp olive oil per portion

Optional Servings
Prepare as appropriate to serve with stew
Cheddar and parsley mash
Celeriac Mash
Carrot and Swede Mash
Swede (Rutabaga) Mash

Method
1. Heat oil in a large pan and fry the onion, garlic, carrot and leek until soft but not coloured. Add the tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, butter beans, flageolet beans, cider, stock and thyme and simmer for 15-20 mins until the stew has thickened and the veg are tender.
2. Meanwhile, if you’re adding sausages to any portion, snip each sausage into 3-4 chunks. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the chunks for 5 mins, then stir in appropriate portions of the stew and gently simmer for the remaining cooking time. 
3. You'll also need to prepare and cook the mash of your choice.
4. Once all ready, serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Per Serving (without mash)
Fat 4g Protein 9g Carbs 20g Fibre 7g
From idea here


A variety of articles and recipe ideas are found within this blog. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

32 comments:

Tom said...

...cider is a nice touch.

Martha said...

This sounds delicious, but living in Florida this is way too much of a warm comfort food for us at this time of year. Bookmarking for next fall/winter :)

Christine said...

It looks and sounds delicious! My family would always be looking for the meat though.

J.P. Alexander said...

Gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso

contempladoraocidental.blogspot.com said...

This stew I intend to make.
Thank you!

Elephant's Child said...

That does sound good. I have never cooked with cider - an omission I should rectify. Soon.

Margaret D said...

Looks nice and I bet it tastes good too.

Valerie-Jael said...

This sounds delicious! Have a great week, Valerie

Hilly Nicolay said...

It seems wonderful.

Greetings from the Netherlands,
Hilly

Jo said...

It looks very tasty, we love our stews in this house.

Teresa said...

Muy buena receta. Feliz semana.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Looks delicious, I could eat more vegetarian meals. I am not so sure if my hubby would eat them. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great new week!

linda said...

This sounds lovely, I think I'll be adding sausages to mine yum.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

This is MY kind of meal. It even looks good. I'm saving the recipe.

R's Rue said...

Yum

Susan Zarzycki said...

We like soups, chowders and stews so I cook those more often than other meal options. I have tried some of your recipes even though some of the ingredients are not readily available here where I live and your measurements are different since we live across the pond. Even with substitutions they come out delicious! And I want to thank you for visiting my blog and your comments. I hope you will become a Follower!💖

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh I love soups and stews all year round. I've never heard of putting cider in a stew before. I am always learning new things it seems. Glad I'm not too old to learn. LOL! Happy Monday. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Thank you for another great recipe to add to summer dinners

Fun60 said...

Like the sound of this one.

CJ Kennedy said...

Both ways sound delicious

Mary Kirkland said...

I love stew and that sounds like a good one.

happyone said...

The cider in the stew sounds like a great idea. Looks delicious.

Conniecrafter said...

A farm just up the road from us makes their own cider without all the added junk, that sounds interesting

William Kendall said...

Aside from not liking beans, this sounds good.

Bob Bushell said...

The west country, there were I was born. Somerset Stew, I love them.

Sue said...

I do like a nice stew, but I'm not a fan of cider/beer in food xx

Jules said...

This sounds delicious. I'm going to try making it at the weekend. X

Jeanie said...

This looks similar to a stew I make. Heart and delicious!

Snowbird said...

That's that's tea sorted for tomorrow, sounds delightful! Love the addition of mash!xxx

Magic Love Crow said...

This sounds really good! Thanks Jan! Big Hugs!

Phil Slade said...

Sue says -"Do you have a recipe that includes Gin?" Just joking I think. I'm about to make a chilli con carne to warm us up.

Lowcarb team member said...

Phil Slade said...
Sue says -"Do you have a recipe that includes Gin?" Just joking I think. I'm about to make a chilli con carne to warm us up.

Hello Phil, many thanks for your comment
Hope you enjoyed your chilli con carne.

You mentioned gin!
I think Sue may enjoy these gin and lime truffles on this post here

https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/2021/05/gin-and-lime-truffles-deliciously.html

All the best Jan