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Recipe: Sweet Potato and Tempeh Stew

2008_10_10-sweetpotato.jpgRich and comforting, sweet potatoes are an ideal soup ingredient. Pairing them with tempeh and warm spices makes for an even heartier nutrition-packed meal. With a dollop of tangy yogurt and sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds, this stew can be served on its own or ladled over grains like quinoa for a satisfying fall dinner.

 
 

Sweet Potato and Tempeh Stew
Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated ginger
6 cardamom pods
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
3 cups vegetable stock or water
8 ounces tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup plain yogurt, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
Toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan. Sauté onion and garlic until onion is translucent.

Add ginger, cardamom pods, coriander seeds, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and sauté for another minute.

Add sweet potatoes and water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add tempeh and simmer for about 10 more minutes, until tempeh is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

Remove from heat, season to taste, and stir in 1/2 cup yogurt. Serve garnished with the remaining yogurt and pumpkin seeds.

Related:
Five Ways to Prepare Tempeh
Spicy Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
Sweet Potato Soup with Miso and Ginger

(Image: Emily Ho)

Tags

Soup, Healthy, Vegetarian, soups, tempeh, stews, sweet potatoes

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Comments (7)

Yum. I have some tempeh in the fridge I don't have slated for anything. This soup looks like a great idea... especially since we may get a frosting of snow over us this weekend.

posted by kmarie on October 10th 2008 at 12:21pm
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This sounds AMAZING! Two of my favorite foods combined!

posted by thebakingbird on October 10th 2008 at 5:13pm
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Yum is right. I have the ingredients on hand so this will be my dinner tonight!

posted by mobi on October 11th 2008 at 6:04am
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Do you guys have any ideas on what could be used instead of the tempeh?

posted by TheMia on October 11th 2008 at 10:46am
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TheMia, you can omit the tempeh if you'd like. You might also try extra firm or baked tofu.

posted by Emily Ho on October 15th 2008 at 6:30am
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I just made this tonight, and Murphy's Law was in full force. I totally messed up just about everything... and you know what? It was STILL really good! The yogurt (I used fat free Greek yogurt) on top was my favorite part. I'll definitely make this again sometime, and try to do it right.

One unpleasant surprise, though... the sweet potatoes oxidized and turned brown right after I cut them.

posted by suzyblue on November 14th 2008 at 10:30pm
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I made this and used chick peas instead of tempeh and it was phenominal. making it again tonight - so easy to put together!

posted by pierrot on February 20th 2009 at 8:28pm
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