Plant Based Creamy Rice & Vegetable Stew

This is a family favorite. It's delicious, hearty and comforting. It takes a few minutes longer than my most of my recipes but it's totally worth it. 


Plant Based Creamy Rice & Vegetable Stew

Time: 45 min.
Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:

Saute ingredients: 
1 (10oz.) pkg frozen sliced mushrooms 
(1½ cups) or 3½ cups fresh sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 cup frozen diced onions (or 1 large yellow onion, diced)
2 tsp. bottled minced garlic (or 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced) 

Cashew Cream ingredients:  ½ cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 3-4 hours (or boiled for 10 minutes)
1 cup water
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Remaining ingredients:  1 (10oz.) pkg frozen fully cooked brown rice (about 3 cups)
1 cup red potatoes, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 cup sweet potatoes, chopped into bite-size pieces
2 cups leafy greens, diced (your choice)
3 cups vegetable broth OR 3 cups water and 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon (Vegetable Base) 
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp oregano
1 to 1½ tsp salt


DIRECTIONS: 
1. Place a small pot on high heat and add the cashews and enough water to cover them by about an inch. Cover and bring to a boil, then continue to boil for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. 

2. Place a large pot on MEDIUM-HIGH heat. Add the onions, garlic and mushrooms and saute until the onions become translucent (5-10 minutes).

3. Meanwhile, place the cashews and 1 cup of water, nutritional yeast and apple cider vinegar into your high speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth (about 1 minute).

4. Once the onion & mushroom mixture is done add the rest of the ingredients to the pot (except the cashew cream). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook about 10 minutes or until potatoes are soft. 

5. Turn off the heat. Add the cashew cream, stir and serve. 

Notes:
If you decide to use white rice instead of brown the stew will get thicker because white rice releases its starch quicker than brown rice does. So you may need to add it about 5 minutes before the stew is finished. Also, if it gets to thick you may need to add plant milk or water then add more salt.