Autumn Romance Vegetable Stew Provencale
As i was walking through the farmer's market, the bounty of the harvest season was laid out before me, a blanket of autumn beauty. The colors, the scents, all spoke to me of the romance of cooking that has made me enjoy it so much these many years. I bought one beautiful vegetable after another, sensing the melange which would take their simple shapes to the sublime. Come make this wonderful vegetable stew as well, so you may also rediscover the romance of cooking that has made you the foodie you are. Note that this requires a large crock pot. If you have a smaller one, you may reduce the ingredient amounts accordingly. Omit the bacon if you like a truly vegetarian dish (but realize that in doing so it diminishes the flavor).
Steps
Sprinkle eggplant with salt and allow to drain in colander for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly rinse before adding to other vegetables.
Sear all veggies first in a large pan on top of stove over high heat until they wilt.
Place veggies in large crock pot with other ingredients and cover , cooking on low for 5-6 hours or until vegetables are tender.
Serve with crusty bread and wine , if desired.
Ingredients
celery ribs, bay leaves, leek, red onion, parsnips, green beans, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, sugar snap peas, garlic cloves, cauliflower florets, bacon, baby eggplants, cremini mushrooms, baby carrots, purple potatoes, fingerling potato, grape tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, italian parsley, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, herbes de provence, dry white wine, tomato juice, olive oil