Recipe: Crockpot Vegetarian Stews (4)

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***** Hearty Bean and Vegetable Stew *****
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1 lb beans, assorted, dry
2 cup vegetable juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup apple or pineapple juice
vegetable stock or water
1/2 cup celery -- diced
1/2 cup parsnips -- diced
1/2 cup carrots -- diced
1/2 cup mushrooms -- diced
1 onion -- diced
1 tsp basil, dried
1 tsp parsley, dried
1 bay leaf
3 clove garlic -- minced
1 tsp black pepper -- ground
1 cup rice or pasta -- cooked

Sort and rinse beans, then soak overnight in water.

Drain beans and place in crockpot. Add vegetable juice, wine, soy sauce, and apple or pineapple juice. Cover with vegetable stock or water; the amount added depends on whether you prefer a soup (more liquid) or a stew (less). The juice adds just a tad of sweetness and the soy sauce adds depth and the tang of salt.

Cook at high for 2 hours. Add vegetables, herbs, and spices, and cook for 5-6 hours at low until carrots and parsnips are tender. When tender, add rice or pasta and cook for one additional hour.

NOTES: For beans use 3 or 4 kinds, such as: black, red kidney, pinto, baby lima, lentil, and green and/or yellow split peas.

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***** Israeli Wheat Berry Stew *****
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5 cup Trader Joe's maranara and the rest water
1 1/2 cup Great northern beans
1 cup wheat berries
6 small potatoes -- cut in half
1 large onion -- sliced
4 clove garlic -- minced
5 tsp cumin -- ground
3 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp black pepper -- ground
2 green peppers

Mix together all ingredients in crockpot. Cook at high 8 to 10 hours.

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***** Layered Dinner *****
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6 potatoes -- sliced
1 large onion -- sliced
2 carrots -- sliced
1 green pepper -- sliced
1 zucchini -- sliced
1 cup corn, frozen or fresh
1 cup peas, frozen or fresh

Optional Vegetables
mushrooms
broccoli
green beans

Sauce
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
1/4 cup tamari, low-sodium
1 tsp thyme -- ground
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp basil
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp sage
2 Tbsp parsley flakes

Layer vegetables in large casserole in order given.

Mix together ingredients for sauce and pour over n vegetables.

Cook six hours at high or 12 at low.

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***** Millet Stew *****
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1 cup millet
4 cup water
2 onions - cut in wedges
2 potatoes - cut in large chunks
2 carrots - cut in large slices
1 cup celery - cut in large slices
1/2 lb mushrooms - chopped
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp thyme

Toast millet in dry skillet for about 5 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Add all ingredients to crockpot and cook 4 hours at high or 8 hours at low.