Description
A hearty and comforting Summer Vegetable Stew featuring a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in flavorful broth, enriched with evaporated milk and thickened with cornstarch. Perfect for a nutritious, cozy meal, with optional protein additions for extra sustenance.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 2 cups diced carrots
- 2 cups diced zucchini
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can corn, undrained
Liquids and Seasonings
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 1/2 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken or other protein
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Root Vegetables: Add diced potatoes and carrots to the pot; cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Simmer Base Vegetables: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes until the potatoes and carrots begin to soften.
- Add Remaining Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in diced zucchini, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, undrained corn, rubbed sage, all-purpose seasoning, and optional cooked protein to the pot.
- Cook Vegetables Together: Bring the stew back to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and cook an additional 10–15 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
- Add Evaporated Milk: Reserve 2 to 3 tablespoons of evaporated milk in a small bowl; pour the remaining evaporated milk into the stew and stir well to incorporate.
- Thicken Stew: Mix the reserved evaporated milk with cornstarch until smooth. Stir this slurry into the stew thoroughly.
- Final Simmer: Let the stew simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and top with shredded Parmesan cheese and fresh diced tomatoes if desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version and omit the optional chicken.
- Adjust thickness by varying the amount of cornstarch slurry.
- Fresh herbs such as parsley or basil can be added at the end for extra freshness.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free meal, ensure all seasonings and broth are labeled gluten-free.
