A slow cooked vegan vegetable stew using all the odds and ends from the late autumn plot. Mushroom dumplings complement this already rich and flavoursome dish.
I was lucky enough to grow up with an Aga in the house. This meant plenty of slow cooked meals. There’s something about slow cooking that really brings out the flavours of ingredients and melds them into something richer and more flavoursome than the sum of their parts. These days, I only have an ordinary electric cooker, so I don’t tend to do much of that sort of cooking. At least I didn’t until I was sent a Von Shef slow cooker to try out. Those delicious childhood stews called to me and I knew I was very soon going to make a slow cooker vegetable stew.
Digital Slow Cooker
This VonShef Digital Slow Cooker from Domu, is simple to use and easy to clean. I was a little concerned I might not get it right first time, but I should have known better; I already have a VonShef 3-in-1 blender, which I use all the time. In my experience, Domu stock reliable products at an affordable price.
The slow cooker instructions were clear and the execution easy. It has three heat settings and a digital timer. The shiny black crockery pot is quite handsome in its own right and is the embodiment of a slow cook casserole dish. The toughened glass lid allows you to easily see what’s going on inside. It’s a large 6.5 litre pot with plenty of capacity for joints of meat and loads of vegetables. Being a vegetarian, I opted for the latter. It’s ideal for large families, for batch cooking and freezing and for entertaining. There’s something deeply reassuring about going out to work, safe in the knowledge there will be a piping hot and delicious meal waiting for you on your return.
If this appeals, have a go at your very own pot luck with the Von Shef Digital Slow Cooker giveaway below. Christmas is coming, in case you hadn’t noticed and a slow cooker is a great way to recycle all those Christmas leftovers. With a RRP of £49.99, it’s good value for money and even better, Domu are currently offering it for £29.99.
End of Season Veg
It’s pretty much the end of the season down at the plot and a good time to use up the odds and ends from the garden. Shelled runner beans and wonky carrots that would never make it to the supermarket will do very nicely in a slow cooker vegetable stew. In fact the only vegetable that went into the stew that we hadn’t grown ourselves was the onion. The wonderful thing about garden stews, is that you can add pretty much whatever you like to them. So chuck in your beetroots, celeriac or swedes and feel free to add some kale or cabbage into the mix too. It’s a great way to use up marrows or overgrown courgettes too.
Mushroom Dumplings
I do like a good dumpling with a stew. Often I add cheese to mine, but this time, I decided to keep the dish dairy free and vegan by way of a change. So instead of adding cheese, I added some mushrooms instead. They are fabulous.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew with Mushroom Dumplings
The smells wafting up from the kitchen were so enticing, I had to refrain from rushing down and taking the lid of to give an addictive stir. Not recommended as you want to retain as much of the heat as possible while cooking is in progress. My slow cooker vegetable stew was rich and flavoursome, further enhanced by the mushroom dumplings. In all the excitement of my slow cooker extravaganza, I forgot to add the baking powder to the dumplings – oops! This meant they were not quite as light as they should have been. Luckily, they were still very tasty.
As I’d made enough for at least six people, I was planning on putting some away in the freezer for a rainy day. However, as the weather was thoroughly wet and miserable anyway, we ended up feasting on it for the next two nights.
Other Slow Cooker Veg Recipes You Might Like
- Chickpea and spinach curry via Planet Veggie
- Kale and ale slow cooker stew via Veggie Desserts
- Mushroom stroganoff via Supper in the Suburbs
- Spicy bean stew via Baking Queen
Keep in Touch
If you make this end-of-season vegetable stew with or without the mushroom dumplings, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or via social media. A photo is always good too.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew. PIN IT.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew with Mushroom Dumplings – The Recipe
Slow Cooker Vegetable Stew with Mushroom Dumplings
Ingredients
Stew
- 3 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 large onion
- 300 g carrots - scrubbed
- 600 g potatoes - scrubbed
- 500 g prepared marrow or squash
- 200 g shelled beans I used runner beans
- 3-4 cloves garlic - finely chopped
- 1 red chilli - finely chopped deseeded if you don't want it too hot
- 2 bay leaves
- sprig of rosemary
- 3 sprigs of thyme
- 1 scant tsp sea salt
- 250 ml tomato passata
- 250 ml red wine
- 400 ml water
Dumplings
- 100 g wholemeal flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 50 g vegetarian suet
- 1 field mushroom or 50g any mushrooms - finely chopped
- pinch of sea salt - I used Cornish sea salt of course
- a grind of pepper
Instructions
Stew
- Pour the oil into the bottom of the slow cooker, then scatter the onions over.
- Roughly chop all of the veg and add to the pot.
- Add the herbs, garlic and chilli and sprinkle on the salt.
- Add the passata, wine and water.
- Cover and set the cooker to slow for 7 hours.
Dumplings
- Stir the ingredients together with a flat bladed knife.
- Add just enough water to bind them together, using the knife all the while.
- Take walnut size pieces and roll into balls - I made 11, but you could easily get 12.
- Take the lid of the slow cooker about an hour before it's due to stop. Give it a stir and place the dumplings over the top. Replace the lid and leave well alone until the cooking cycle has finished.
Notes
If you want to include dumplings, you'll need to add them about an hour before the end of the cooking time.
Linkies
- You will find plenty of delicious recipe ideas over on the Domu slow cooker recipe hub. Mine should soon be one of them.
- I’m sending this vegan slow cooker vegetable stew to Jac over at Tinned Tomatoes for Meat Free Mondays.
- It would be hard to cram in any Extra Veg so this also goes to Helen at Fuss Free Flavours and Michelle at Utterly Scrummy Food for Families.
- This also goes to the Slow Cooked Challenge with Janice at Farmersgirl Kitchen and Lucy at Baking Queen.
- As many people would put the wonky carrots, overgrown courgettes and giant runner beans in the compost, I’m sending this off to It’s Not Easy Being Greedy for the No Waste Food Challenge normally hosted at Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary.
- This month’s Vegetable Palette is the colour white and as I had lots of lovely white runner beans, as well as potatoes, I’m sending this off to Shaheen at A2K – A Seasonal Veg Table.
- The bay, rosemary and thyme in this wonderful vegetable stew makes it just right for Karen’s Cooking with Herbs over at Lavender and Lovage.
Thanks to Domu for the slow cooker. There was no requirement to write a positive review and as always all opinions are my own.
Slow Cooker Giveaway
I would most like to curl up on the sofa & read my book 🙂
The activity I would like to do is crochet. I have recently taken this up again after my granddaughter was born. There are so many cute baby clothes to make, it’s hard to decide what to make next. I’m currently engaged on a little bolero for her to wear at Christmas.
At the moment it would be getting on with my cross stitched Christmas cards!
Oh man, this looks just the thing for this weather! I too love dumplings but have only ever had them plain. I think I’ll follow your lead and add mushrooms next time.
Thanks Cathy. Definitely to be recommended, only don’t forget the baking powder like I did 😉
Relaxing with a good book and glass of wine
I’d like to read the paper all the way through with a cup of coffee!
I’d love to be curled up with a book having some ‘me time’ whilst it’s bubbling away!
I would head out for a cycle on the bike
probably chill and watch a good film or maybe read a book
I would have a nice cup of tea and read a good book.
I would set it off in the morning before the kids go off to school and me to work, then we could come home to a lovely stew and warm ourselves up as it is freezing outside at the moment.
Have a couple of uninterrupted hours researching my family history 🙂
I love to have a mega read, a good book along with plenty of brews…….strong tea!
Catching up on some Netflix while having a cuppa
I like to curl up on my chair in front of the log burner and read a good book.
That sounds wonderful Debbie – oh for a log burning fire 🙂
Watch a film with the family or do one of my exercise dvds 🙂
What activity would you most like to do whilst your slow cooker is bubbling away . . . . . . play time with my grandsons
Sit down with a good book and a cup of tea – bliss for half an hour.
this looks fantastic – will be giving those dumplings a go
Thanks Roz – they were a revelation and will be made again for sure 🙂
I would partake in a glass of wine
excersizing doing hula hooping
I would do some yoga,love it!
It depends what state the house is in! Would be a good opportunity to catch up on a bit of cleaning or ironing. But if all that’s done then would be nice to catch up with a good book and a cup of tea, or wrap some Christmas presents!
Go to work! Earn some money, and come home to a delicious meal! 😀
Have a coffee and read for a while.
What an awesome stew! Published a very similar one recently actually but the mushroom dumplings are an excellent idea. I think i need to try those very soon. Yummed!
Thanks Lucy. Your stew looked super, though I never quite think a stew is complete without dumplings 😉
-Then go for a walk
Dumplings! That’s what makes the perfect stew. Vegetarian recipes are sadly given too little limelight in all the “winter warmer” features so it’s good to see you providing little inspiration. Like the mushroom twist on the dumplings.
I normally relax whilst cooking, so if the slow cooker was taking care of that then I guess I’d have more time to concentrate on some festive baking. And if the oven’s off-limits? I’ve got Hamelman’s ‘Bread’ just delivered and I won’t learn without some serious study time.
Ah, thank you Claire. Dumplings are definitely the clincher when it comes to stews and the mushroom ones were a revelation 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway 🙂
Mushroom dumplings?!? Why haven’t I had these before?! Definitely going to give this a go it sounds amazing! x
I was wondering pretty much the same thing Lisa – really glad I got a bit experimental 😉
What a delicious veggie stew! I love esp. those mushroom dumplings.
Thanks Angie, the stew was really good, but the dumplings were the icing on the cake, so to speak 😉
prob housework or jobs around the house, the usual housewife stuff
Can’t beat a good soak in a scented bubble bath 🙂
I would read a good book, whilst enjoying a lovely hot cup of tea.
That sounds absolutely gorgeous. I love the mushroom dumplings, thanks for joining us for the Slow Cooked Challenge.
Glad I finally made it Janice 🙂
What I WANT to do is read the new novel I got, but instead I would have to read some academic books for my degree!
Oh I feel your pain Rose. Truth told I rarely get the time to read these days and I really miss it.
oh my word, those dumplings!
Absolutely Dom, I suspect the Viking might rather like them too 😉
I’d love to be riding on my BMX through the nearby forest. Gets me some fresh air and keeps me fit 🙂
I`d like to be thinking what kind of dessert I`d conjure up, to go with the main course
I’d like to be sat in my comfy chair,reading a good book.
Be lazy watching some comedy with some beers and small snacks until the cooker has done all.
go out cycling if it’s not raining
I would be getting on with my cleaning & ironing.
I’d love to sit down with a cuppa and a good book but in reality i’d probably be tidying up!
It would give me the opportunity to Keep a beady eye on my 13 month old who gets up to all kinds of trouble lol
I’d probably catch up on some house-work, house work never ends. But If I do win this slow cooker, it would be a gift for a family member.
Probably the online equivalent to window shopping (cyber shopping?) – simply endless browsing, taking note of all the wonderful things I’d LIKE to buy (if I had the money!)
Go on a nice long walk with my husband and border collie 🙂
CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
I’d read my book.
Take my dogs for a long walk in the countryside. I would have a lovely dinner waiting for me .
I will be running after 3 year old twins all day long.
Not sure about activity, I’m always ready for a nap. Pesky MS. But I would give this to my vegan daughter and I know she has plenty to do. Dancing, practicing her bass guitar, working, not sure when she sleeps. Oh, to be young.
Lovely soak in the bath xxx
Mop my floors, put washing away…countless chores whilst this cooks for me x
well that would be telling! I might get banned from your blog if I actually told yer!
I’d love to call my best friend who now lives down south, we never seem to have the time to really catch up.
Do part of a jigsaw puzzle, I always have on the go. I never would have thought of mushrooms dumplings, how inspired!.
Oh I love jigsaws and when I’ve lived in a house with enough room I always had one on the go too. Sadly, no room in our current house.
Probably tidy the house!
read more of the books I end up buying that my partner doesn’t know about. lol
Cuddle my new baby granddaughter
reading blogs, especially yours 😉 xx
I would spend the time in the garden getting more crops ready to fill the cooker over the nest few months!
Excellent Robert, I heartily approve of this undertaking 😉
I could visit the farm shop to select the ingredients for the next undertaking.
Have a fun filled family day out! Then on arrival home when we are exhausted, dinner is ready!
Relax and do nothing
I would like to put my feet up with a hot chocolate and catch up on an episode of Masterchef! However I am most likely to be found chasing a toddler around and picking raisins from my hair lol! x
Relaxing with a glass of wine xx
clean or chill!
Switch on my turntables, play a few hours of classic ska and reggae, just in time for a nice stew!
I would love to finish some of the projects I have going for gifts such as a blanket I am working on and it has to be done by Christmas
play on my laptop
Catch up with my ironing.
Bake a cake or read a book
meant to add to last comment, both activities are long overdue!
read novel
A nap in front of the woodburner – ZZzzzzzz
I’d go downstairs and do some meditation in my chill out room.
I’d like to have a nice relaxing bath
I would love to read a good book, and just savour the wonderful aroma, and relax while the dinner looks after itself. Bliss
Now that paints such a good picture Lesley – can I join you?
Hmm that’s a tricky one. Either read a book from my huge to read pile, or watch the entire four seasons of the new version of Battlestar Galactica again (again again!) 🙂
Bake some blueberry muffins mmmm for pudding
I would like to be having a long workout on my Wii Fit board. I haven’t used it in ages. I need to lose the weight that I have put on this year whilst I have been poorly. Then I can go buy some new clothes for winter
Oh I do like a good dumpling in a stew, these look lovely! Thanks for sharing with #ExtraVeg
Thanks Helen. Mushroom dumplings are my new found love.
i’d get a lovely cuppa and watch some tele 🙂
A walk on a crisp Winter’s evening, when the stars are bright, then coming in to the delicious aromas of a bubbling beef casserole waiting for me.
Your stew looks delicious Choclette. I love the sound of those mushroom dumplings, what a great idea. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Sarah. Those mushroom dumplings are my new favourite thing 🙂
I would walk my dog because he cannot go very long without demanding a walk. The annoying little git!
i would like to sit down for ten minutes and put my feel up with a glass of wine lol x
You will usually find me washing, ironing, shopping or cleaning while my slow cooker is bubbling away 😉
I’d study my cookery book ready for the next delight!
I would certainly love to blog!! This is my favourite hobby ever and oh.. having a cup of coffee with the cat on my lap too!
Wonderful Alida. You’re a true multi-tasker 🙂
I’d like a bit of me time but the reality would be taxi driver to my 3 boys to and from their sports!
Alternating between getting my crochet fix and playing Duplo with my son and daughter
Brilliant giveaway. I would so love to be getting on with painting my nails
spend the time playing dinosaurs or trains with my children
Quality play time with the kids would be first on my agenda
If im honest I’m normally at work whilst its going away at home – the smell I walk into is divine
Do a few miles on the exercise bike to burn off a few calories
I would be curled up with one of those books that have been sitting waiting all year
I’d spend some time birdwatching from my kitchen wondow. At this time of year so many different birds visit the sunflower hearts feeder, including nuthatches & redpolls. I never seem to have time to sit and enjoy them.
Do find a bit of time to watch the birds if you can Lili, they are such wonderful little things.
Enter comps like this online while listening to some xmas song on the music channels
I would make a venison stew with it and have it ready for when I get home
you have got to have a stew, with dumplings and i cant wait to try these mushroom ones!
Check social media
I would play a board game with my son and read a chapter of my book!
A lovely long bath with a glass of wine and a book.
Glass of wine and a good book – its so rare I get to read!
I think I would catch up on my reading! It has been a while! 🙂
have a relaxing bath
Put my feet up with a big glass of wine
I would probably do some sewing!
The stew looks great – not being a fan of mushrooms I probably would go for the cheese option you normally use – the perfect dish for this kind of weather. Thanks for entering into the no waste food challenge – the round up is finally live, so sorry it took so long!
Well cheesy dumplings are very hard to resist Tracy 🙂
I get home very late from work so I would go to the gym whilst the slow cooker makes dinner.
I would take the opportunity to put my feet up with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate
a nice long soak x
I’ve been trying to get into the habit of doing quick sketches and keeping a daily pictorial journal so that would be my choice of activity while waiting for the slow cook!
What a fab idea. I’m rubbish at drawing, but would love to be able to do something like that Louise.
It would be great to set aside time to read.
I normally do a bit of household chores, but at times also sit at my pc and do some internet surfing 😉
Curl up by the fire with tea and my cats.
relax and read a good book.
Walk the dog
have a good natter and a brew and biscuit with my best friend lisa x
Binge watch a good boxset on Netflix with a few cups of tea and maybe a biscuit!
I would like to read a few chapters of my book, while drinking a nice cup of tea.
Spend time playing games with my daughter
I would make the most of a bit of spare time and enjoy myself. Make a cuppa tea and relax with a good tv boxset. Lazy but fun!
Watch a good film with my feet up
That would depend who else was in the house! If the kids are around I would spend quality time with them, but if I was on my own I would definitely make it “me time”. No chores – I’d probably have a good pamper and relax.
Read a good book and catch up on some sleep
I would curled up on my sofa and put my favourite film on!
Reading a good book
This recipe looks so yummy 😀 I would love to have my own slow cooker to try it out 😀
Thank you Claire, that’s very nice of you to say so 🙂
Go out for a run while my meat cooking lovely
Im heading for the pc to do some advent comps
I love the idea that I can get on with jobs around the house like washing and changing the bed, while a nice healthy meal is cooking without lots of effort 🙂
Dancing around the kitchen with my boyfriend!
I’d go into my craftroom and make some pretty cards while my food was bubbling away.
we all love to sit around and watch a christmas classic on tv its a family tradition
The dreaded task of wrapping up all of the Christmas presents
watch a film with some chocolate
sitting on the sofa nice and cosy
Would love to go into town and finish my Christmas shopping
I would most like to put the PS4 on once my daughter is fast asleep
I would like to spend more time playing with my baby boy.
I’d curl up and read a good book
I would get it out in the fresh air and take the dog for a walk
I’d like to attempt one of those fitness video workouts
Love to catch up on my reading!
Sitting at my computer playing minecraft 🙂
I’d get out and do the rest of the Christmas shopping
Go for a long walk
Take a walk along the beach to build up my appetite all ready for a warming casserole on my return
I would use the time to finish off putting up the rest of the Christmas decorations
Relaxing with a good book
watch Christmas movies x
I think for me it would be a good de-clutter. The Christmas deep clean of the house has highlighted to me that there are too many drawers and cupboards in this house stuffed with goodness knows what so it’s time to thin it out!
Oh, I’m so with you there Caroline. If I was given some magic extra time I would love to have a good de-clutter.
Looking for the next tasty recipe
relaxing with my family, playing a few card games and generally catching up with the gossip
watch a good box set x
I would like to sit with a cheeky glass of wine and read a chapter or three of my book
A bit of hula-hooping in front of the tv
I would like to go out for a walk by the sea, and then curl up with a good book.
relaxing on a comfy armchair and reading a good book or magazine
I would like to continue playing fallout 4 (A recently released computer game).
I would like to think I would read one of my many unread books
Oh I know the feeling. I have such a huge pile of books and I keep telling myself I’ll take some time out to read, but …
Id take the dogs for a nice long walk to the lake xx
wrap up some xmas presents
curl up on the sofa and get a good book out and have some ME time
Joy of a slow cooker is leaving it on even when you leave the house so would definitely go out for a nice long family walk.
Do the laundry, do the dusting, and then go out for a jog. Just kidding! I’ll be lounging around on the sofa daydreaming.
read and chill
relax in a bubble bath and a good book
I would take the dogs for a walk in the woods. there is nothing nicer than coming in to half something nice ready to eat xx
watch netflix to relax or a movie, nice to relax while dinner is cooking
i love to knit, so this would be bliss…slow cooker on and knitting time begins!
I would probably take the dogs for a nice long walk and then back for a nice cup of tea!
play games with my kids, help them with their homework, read a book.
I like relax on the sofa with a book and a cup of tea or just enjoy a good Disney film with my daughter 🙂
go for a nice walk with my family or if the weather is bad watch a movie together
I would love to be out in the garden – pruning, weeding or leaf raking!
I would most like to go on a lovely relaxing walk with the dogs 🙂
I would do some competitions to try and win a holiday or treat for my grandchildren.
Catching up with my blog
Build a Lego fort with my four year old!
At this time of year with so much going on, I’d like to get some sleep!
I’d love to do a bit of tidying up in the garden, so many leaves need collecting and the rest needs a little attention!
I’d take a long bath before having a glass of wine while doing some online shopping
I’d like to curl up on the sofa and catch up on the soaps.
sleeping
I’d like to be wrapping my Christmas presents.
Reality is that I’d be doing some jobs – but I’d like to be reading my latest fantasy book.
resting and relaxing.
Read a good book
I am usually getting on with my work and housework
Cleaning my home from top to bottom and then sleep lol
I love messing around with my two kids, they love arts and crafts or just dancing around the living room
College work with I never get round too 🙁
I would like to crack on with my scrapbooking that I started ages ago!
Catch up on emails while it’s doing all the hard-work! 😉
I love to read whenever I get the chance. Just wish I got more chances! 🙂
check the weather and read the news on my iPad
What I should do is catch up on housework, but what I’d want to do is surf the internet,
Clean as much of my house as I could.
I would curl up on the sofa and read a good book.
I would read through some more blogs to find more great recipes for the next time I use the slow cooker. Thanks for sharing.
I would be spending more time with my family,Great prize thank you for the chance and Merry Christmas.
Thank you Kay. Merry Christmas to you too and good luck.
Do some of my knitting or sewing and having a nice relax whilst my food is cooking away 🙂
I’d chill out with a good book
Feet up on sofa, good book and a glass of wine
I love being able to play with my kids and spending quality time with them.
colour!!!
I should be cleaning the house but I would rather sit down with a good book and a cup of tea
Haha, I know the feeling Richard – one day!
I would love to be able to devote more time to my daughter. I’m so busy as I work from home and also look after my 2 year old. I would be so happy if this slow cooker can save me some precious time. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I would most like to sit with a good book, but would be more likely to be catching up with cleaning 🙂
while the slow cooker is cooking, I can get on with the baking.
Put my feet up for forty winks before the children come home
I would like to have a bit of me time as strangely do not seem to get much of that these days!
I would take my daughter for a walk outside in the fresh air x
Read a book with the TV on in the background 🙂
I would surf the internet reading blogs and generally getting distracted.
Plenty of time to get in the garden and do some stree free gardening
I would be baking some delicious cakes.
I’d probably spend my spare time doing a bit of gardening – I’ve still got a lot of spring bulbs toput in for next year!
relax in a bubble bath with my favourite mag
Relax and read a book or maybe go for a walk
I am very happy with my nickname of ‘The Crochet Queen’ so I would sit and happily crochet a gift for a family member while the smell of my delicious stew wafts around the house.
Have a coffee and read a magazine
At the moment I would love to crack on with the Christmas wrapping, any other time I’d love to be able to take the kids out on a nice long walk and to the park, and come home to something delicious waiting for us.
Catching up on my favourite TV shows!
Read a book or watch tv
Watch a good TV programme with a nice cup of hot chocolate
I would carry on with my cross stitch project, any chance I get I am with needle in my hand
have a cup of tea and read or browse social media 🙂
I would love to take the dog for a walk to the park.
I would start making a homemade dessert with my two daughters 🙂
We can have more family time together, playing games, reading books and doing extra homework.
I’d have a long bath and a good long read