Please, does anyone have a suggestion? I make a simple curried vegetable stew (Sam Gugino "cooking to Beat the Clock) that's very good, healthy, and easy--but it needs some depth. You saute chunks of sweet potato in a bit of olive oil, add chopped onion, zucchini, and curry powder, then add red pepper and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, add lima beans, green beans, a pinch of saffron, salt and pepper. Lower the heat, cover, and cook @ 7 mins, Though it's better the next day, it still lacks something. I'd appreciate some suggestions. Thanks.

ellenl
  • Posted by: ellenl
  • October 10, 2010
  • 3282 views
  • 6 Comments

6 Comments

ellenl
ellenl October 10, 2010
Thank you!
 
innoabrd
innoabrd October 10, 2010
Definitely add some garlic and ginger. Instead of coconut milk or cream you could even try milk instead of the veg stock. The more fat, the more flavour, but coconut milk and cream are both pretty fatty. I'd also use a sunflower oil or other 'plain' oil instead of olive.

Some other thoughts:
add some dried apricots
try using individual spices instead of a store-bought curry powder. cumin, coriander, turmeric and cardamom and a bit of chili are a good place to start. Try adding some amchoor if you have an Indian grocer. It's a dried mango powder that has a nice tang to it.
 
ellenl
ellenl October 10, 2010
And many thanks again!
 
phyllis
phyllis October 10, 2010
Good suggestions, although I wouldn't use soy sauce in this dish. Definitely ginger and garlic. Also some cumin and coriander. If you don't have coconut milk, add some cream.
 
ellenl
ellenl October 10, 2010
Thanks!
 
Sadassa_Ulna
Sadassa_Ulna October 10, 2010
Lots of grated ginger root and crushed garlic along with the onion. Low-salt soy sauce instead of the salt. I would say some butter or coconut milk but then I might change the olive oil to something less olive-flavored. Or change the oil to canola and add some toasted sesame oil? Lemon or lime juice. I would sneak in a few drops fish sauce unless you want to keep it vegan. Depending on how much sweetness the sweet potato adds I might sneak in some brown sugar. Chopped cilantro at the end of cooking.
 
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