Warm Up This Winter: Wholesome Vegan Vegetable & Pearl Barley Stew with Herby Dumplings
Discover the ultimate vegan comfort food: a hearty, healthy, and incredibly filling winter vegetable and pearl barley stew. Crowned with fluffy, aromatic herby dumplings, this one-pot wonder is the perfect meal to embrace on those chilly days. This post is proudly sponsored by Appletiser, offering a refreshing pairing for your wholesome culinary creations.
It feels like just yesterday we were basking in the warmth of summer, and now, almost with a blink of an eye, the festive holiday season is upon us! Every year, I find myself marvelling at how quickly time truly flies. As the days shorten and the crispness of autumn yields to the undeniable chill of winter, my kitchen naturally gravitates towards the creation of warming, comforting dishes. Soups and stews become staples, gracing our dinner table with their inviting aromas and soul-satisfying qualities.
This particular vegan winter vegetable and pearl barley stew, generously topped with delicious herby dumplings, is an absolute lifesaver after a bracing walk on a cold winter’s day. It’s the kind of meal that wraps you in a warm hug from the inside out. For the ultimate dining experience, I love to pair it with a crisp, refreshing glass of bubbly Appletiser. Its natural apple sweetness and effervescence cut through the richness of the stew beautifully, offering a delightful contrast.
While I admit to enjoying Appletiser year-round, there’s something particularly harmonious about its natural apple flavor during this season. As apples are currently in their prime, the clean, refreshing taste of Appletiser feels perfectly attuned to the wholesome, earthy flavors of this winter stew, making it an ideal companion for your meal.
This recipe is a proud continuation of my monthly series developed for Appletiser. Each month, I craft a meal designed to be the perfect culinary partner for a glass of Appletiser. Much like the delicious drink itself, all my featured recipes are entirely free from added sugar and ensure you get at least one portion of your recommended five-a-day. This commitment to healthy, flavourful eating aligns perfectly with Appletiser’s natural, refreshing ethos, offering a guilt-free indulgence that nourishes both body and soul.
One of the true joys of this time of year is the abundance of incredible seasonal vegetables. This robust stew takes full advantage of these winter treasures, packed generously with vibrant leeks, sweet parsnips, crisp carrots, earthy swede, and comforting potatoes. These root vegetables not only provide a fantastic array of textures and flavours but also contribute significantly to the nutritional profile of the dish, making it a truly healthy vegan option.
The addition of pearl barley is key to making this vegan stew incredibly satisfying and truly filling. Its chewy texture adds another layer of interest, while its slow-releasing energy keeps you feeling full and warm for longer. And then come the glorious herby dumplings! These fluffy, flavourful pockets transform this hearty stew into a complete, self-contained one-pot meal. There’s no need for any additional side dishes, apart from that perfectly chilled glass of Appletiser, of course!
While this vegetable and pearl barley stew is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, it does require a bit of simmering time to allow the flavours to meld beautifully and the pearl barley and vegetables to become perfectly tender. So, I advise against waiting until hunger strikes to begin cooking. Plan ahead, let it simmer gently, and you’ll be rewarded with an exceptionally delicious and nourishing meal that’s worth every minute of anticipation.
Crafting Your Perfect Vegan Winter Vegetable and Pearl Barley Stew with Herby Dumplings
Creating this deeply satisfying vegan stew is a rewarding process, resulting in a dish that’s both comforting and packed with wholesome goodness. Let’s walk through the steps, ensuring you achieve a rich, flavourful stew crowned with perfectly fluffy dumplings.
(For a complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card provided below.)
The Stew Base: Building Rich Flavors
Begin by gently sautéing your aromatics – finely chopped onion, leek, and celery – in a combination of olive oil and dairy-free margarine. I find this blend provides the best depth of flavour, though entirely olive oil works just as well if preferred. Cook until they are wonderfully soft and translucent, creating a fragrant foundation for your stew.
Next, introduce the crushed garlic, stirring it in for just about thirty seconds until its aroma is released – be careful not to burn it! This is followed by three tablespoons of plain flour. This vital step helps to thicken the stew, giving it a wonderfully creamy, luxurious consistency that’s far from watery.
Gradually incorporate dry white wine, a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. This slow addition ensures a smooth, velvety sauce. Once the wine is fully integrated, switch to your vegetable stock, adding it in stages and stirring well after each addition. The quality of your stock truly makes a difference here; I highly recommend a good quality bouillon powder like Marigold Vegan Bouillon Powder for maximum flavour.
Simmering to Perfection: Vegetables and Pearl Barley
Now, add the pearl barley along with fresh sprigs of thyme and rosemary, and a couple of bay leaves. These herbs infuse the stew with their fragrant, earthy notes, complementing the richness of the vegetables. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil for about 10 minutes, ensuring the pearl barley begins to cook. Then, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
It’s time for your star winter vegetables! Add the chopped carrots, parsnips, potato, and swede to the pot. Cover it tightly and allow it to simmer gently for approximately 30-40 minutes. The goal is for both the pearl barley and the vegetables to become wonderfully soft and tender. Remember to stir the stew regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan, and if it becomes too thick, a splash more vegetable stock can be added. However, keep in mind this is designed to be a thick, hearty stew, not a thin soup.
The Fluffy Herby Dumplings: A Comforting Topping
While your stew is lovingly simmering, it’s the perfect time to prepare the delightful herby dumplings. In a spacious bowl, combine self-raising flour with a pinch of salt and your favourite mixed dried herbs. Next, add cold dairy-free margarine. Using your fingertips, rub the margarine into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. This technique ensures light and tender dumplings. Gradually add cold water, a little at a time, mixing until the ingredients come together to form a soft, manageable dough. Avoid overworking the dough to keep the dumplings light and fluffy.
Once your stew has reached its tender perfection, remove any fresh herb sprigs and bay leaves, then season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Now, take your dumpling dough and roll it into small balls, roughly the size of a golf ball. Gently dot these lovely dumplings all over the surface of the hot stew. Place the uncovered pan into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the dumplings are beautifully golden brown and wonderfully risen. The uncovered baking helps them achieve that appealing crispy exterior while remaining soft inside.
With the dumplings perfectly baked and the stew bubbling invitingly, all that’s left to do is pour yourself a chilled glass of Appletiser and dig into this incredibly satisfying and heartwarming meal. It’s truly a wholesome feast designed to bring comfort and joy during the colder months.
More Warming Vegan Soup & Stew Recipes:
If this hearty stew has ignited your love for warming vegan comfort food, you might also enjoy these other delightful soup and stew recipes perfect for any season:
- Hearty Autumn Minestrone Soup (Vegan)
- Spiced Red Lentil and Root Vegetable Soup (Vegan)
- Classic Carrot and Coriander Soup
- Flavorful Spiced Yellow Split Pea and Sweetcorn Soup
- Delicious Spiced Roast Pumpkin Soup
Have you given this comforting recipe a try? We’d love to see your creations! Tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and use the hashtag #domesticgothess. Your culinary adventures inspire us!
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Vegetable And Pearl Barley Stew With Herby Dumplings (Vegan)
Ingredients
For the Hearty Stew:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp dairy-free margarine or substitute with more olive oil
- 1 large brown onion peeled and finely chopped for optimal flavor release
- 1 large leek thoroughly cleaned and thinly sliced
- 2 sticks celery thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic freshly crushed for maximum aroma
- 3 Tbsp plain flour to thicken the stew
- 120 ml (½ cup) dry white wine optional, but adds depth of flavor
- 1 ½ litres (6 cups) vegetable stock use a good quality stock for best results
- 175 g (6oz) pearl barley rinsed thoroughly
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or ½ tsp dried rosemary
- 3 large carrots approximately 350g, peeled and cut into substantial chunks
- 3 parsnips approximately 250g, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 large potato approximately 350g, peeled and cut into large chunks
- ½ a small swede (rutabaga) approximately 300g, peeled and cut into chunks
- Generous amounts of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Fluffy Herby Dumplings:
- 300 g (2 ½ cups) self-raising flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp mixed dried herbs such as parsley, sage, thyme, and rosemary
- 80 g (⅓ cup) dairy-free margarine kept cold and cubed
- About 150ml cold water (½ cup + 2 Tbsp) add gradually as needed
Instructions
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In a large, oven-proof casserole pan or a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil and dairy-free margarine over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sliced leek, and sliced celery. Sauté gently for approximately 10 minutes until they become wonderfully soft and translucent, forming a flavorful base for your stew.
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Stir in the crushed garlic and cook for an additional thirty seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown. Immediately stir in the plain flour, mixing well to create a thick paste known as a roux. This will ensure your stew achieves a rich, creamy texture.
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If using, gradually stir in the dry white wine, adding just a splash at a time and whisking thoroughly after each addition. This slow process prevents lumps and creates a smooth sauce. Once all the wine is incorporated, slowly pour in the vegetable stock, again stirring continuously until fully combined.
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Add the rinsed pearl barley along with the fresh (or dried) thyme, bay leaves, and rosemary sprigs to the pan. Bring the stew to a rapid boil and allow it to boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of the barley.
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Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Now, add the prepared chopped carrots, parsnips, potato, and swede to the simmering stew.
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Cover the pot tightly and let the stew simmer gently for 30-40 minutes. Continue to stir regularly to ensure nothing catches on the bottom of the pan and that all ingredients cook evenly. The stew is ready when the pearl barley and all the vegetables are tender. If the stew becomes too thick, you can add a little extra vegetable stock, but remember it’s meant to have a rich, hearty consistency.
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While the stew is simmering, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) / Gas Mark 6. This is also the ideal time to prepare your herby dumplings.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-raising flour, salt, and mixed dried herbs. Add the cold, cubed dairy-free margarine. Using your fingertips, rub the margarine into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Gradually add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together into a soft ball. Be careful not to overmix.
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Once the vegetables and pearl barley in the stew are perfectly tender, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully retrieve and discard the fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs (if used) and the bay leaves. Taste the stew and season it generously with salt and pepper, adjusting to your preference.
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From your dumpling dough, roll out small balls, each approximately the size of a golf ball. Arrange these dumplings evenly over the entire surface of the hot stew. Place the uncovered pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the dumplings are beautifully puffed up and golden brown on top.
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Your wholesome vegan winter vegetable and pearl barley stew with herby dumplings is now ready to enjoy! While best served immediately, leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Please note that the stew will thicken further upon standing.