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I’ve been a bit indulgent in the kitchen this month. The cooler months always bring on my cravings for cheesy, bready, meaty things. According to this Well + Good article, science can explain this phenomenon. But anyways, back to my culinary indulgences. Let’s see, we’ve had gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, meaty ragu with gnudi, macaroni and cheese, chicken bonne femme, stew with dumplings, pasta, and more. While I do tend to embrace my cravings for comfort food, I also try to maintain a bit of balance. No one likes it when their pants start to feel to tight. And who wants to go for a run when its 30 degrees?
In my opinion, vegetarian soups and stews offer a great way to even things out. They are still warming and hearty but lower in calories and fat. This Cajun vegetarian stew is a perfect example. It’s warm, spicy, and full of healthy veggies and beans. I even threw in a bit of kale.
Looking for more healthy vegetarian recipes: try these spicy chickpeas and kale in tomato sauce.
Notes on Cozy Cajun Vegetarian Stew
I think of this recipe as a merger between two of my favorite Cajun recipes: Hoppin John and Chicken Sauce Piquant. Clearly I left out the chicken and the pork, but many of the other components still remain – including bold Cajun flavor. Yum, Cajun is one of my favorite cuisines!
I start this recipe with the “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking: onion, pepper, and celery. Then I add garlic, herbs and spices, tomatoes, and stock. Sound easy right? Yep, it is. You simply simmer that mixture for about 30 minutes or so to let the flavor develop and then in toss in the remaining ingredients. After 10 more minutes it’s ready to go! A one pot supper that’s packed with healthy veggies and beans.
Note: If you are not familiar with bulgur wheat, it’s pretty great stuff. It’s probably best know for its use in tabbouleh but I think it’s a great thickening agent for soups and stews. It cooks quick and has great nutritional value.
Cozy Cajun Vegetarian Stew
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 1x
- Cuisine: Cajun
Description
This stew is hearty, healthy, and delicious. You won’t even miss the meat!
Ingredients
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 poblano pepper diced
- 1 jalepano, diced (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups veggie or chicken stock
- A few dashes of hot sauce
- 2 cans black-eyed peas, rinsed
- 1 cup bulgar wheat
- 3 to 4 kale leaves, stems removed and cut into 1 inch ribbons (1 to 2 cups worth)
Garnish with:
- 1 small bunch green onions, chopped
- grated white cheddar, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large dutch oven. Add onion, celery, and peppers. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Add spices, herbs, tomato, hot sauce, and stock. Stir and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Add black-eyed peas, kale, and bulgur wheat. Simmer 10 minutes more. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Serve in large bowls with green onion and white cheddar for garnish.
Keywords: Cajun, Vegetarian, Stew, Blackeyed peas
