
A hearty and satisfying vegan stew featuring earthy mushrooms, chewy barley, and flavorful vegetables, all simmered in a rich red wine reduction. This is vegan comfort food at its finest!
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
Add cremini and shiitake mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid and begin to brown, about 8-10 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Pour in red wine and bring to a simmer. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce slightly.
Add rinsed pearl barley, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until barley is tender and the stew has thickened.
Remove bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Nutrition per serving (450g)
For a richer flavor, use dried porcini mushrooms in addition to the cremini and shiitake. Soak them in hot water for 30 minutes, then chop and add them to the stew along with the soaking liquid (strain the liquid first to remove any grit).
If the stew becomes too thick, add more vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.
This stew tastes even better the next day, so it's a great make-ahead meal.
For a smoother texture, you can partially blend the stew with an immersion blender before serving. Be careful not to over-blend it!
Add other vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, or kale for extra nutrients and flavor.
Large pot or Dutch oven
Cutting board
Knife
No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.