I had never heard of Pot Au Feu until watching the "Create" channel. We seriously only get four channels at our house and Create is one of them, lucky for me. Rick Steves and I are BFFs. Anyway, Hubert Keller was on and he was making a giant, whole vegetable and animal meat dish. My furry friends being cooked up for me to eat, I could do without but the rest of the dish; carrots, baby potatoes, celery, and cabbage...well that all looked right up my alley.
This recipe is inspired by Chef Keller and his Pot Au Feu. It's a classic french dish that is traditionally served with mustard, salt, and bread. It's essentially whole vegetables and a protein simmered in a broth with spices and herbs. I used tempeh as a protein instead of adorable cows.
Pot Au Feu is shockingly quick and easy to make since the vegetables need really very little prep and as far as ingredients go, it's quite simple. While simmering, it filled the whole house with a comforting, savory smell that made my mouth water.
Although, I did exhibit a bit of unfortunate planning. You see, it's been raining for a week straight up here in Alaska and I knew this would be the perfect meal to warm my wet and chilled bones. A great introduction into early fall. Except....yesterday it was hot! Exceptionally hot. So hot that on my lunch break at a nearby lake, I had to leave early because I'm pretty sure I was experiencing heat stroke.
Either way, this vegan Pot Au Feu was a no-frills, delicious dish. Hearty and filling.
You see that rutabaga there on the bottom right? I (not thinking clearly) threw that bad boy in too. Don't do that. It was unapologetically bitter.
- 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 leeks, cleaned and sliced
- 2 springs of fresh parsley
- 2 springs of fresh thyme
- 2 springs of fresh oregano
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
- 2 celery stalks, cut in half
- 2 large carrots, cut in half
- ½ kohlrabi, peeled and halved
- ½ small head of cabbage, halved
- 1/2 lb. mixed baby potatoes, whole
- 1 8 oz. package of tempeh, quartered in triangles
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 dried bay leaf
- ¼ cup stone ground mustard, for serving (optional)
German Word of The Day
Peasant --> Bauer (yep, like Eddie Bauer)
Good Deed of The Day
Read this article from the NYT about us Millennials. Seriously, it's very interesting and inspiring,