Recipe of the week: Make-Ahead Vegetarian Moroccan Stew

I absoluetly love sweet potatoes, so when Ed mentioned them to me last week I knew I had to use a recipe for them. (Something other than the typical Thanksgiving side dishes.) I found this wonderful website that I couldn't resist sharing that has all kinds of recipes and ideas for sweet potatoes (among other vegetables)!

http://www.sweetpotatorecipes.net/index.htm

With the cold and blustery day we've had and the leaves starting to turn shades of yellow, red and orange I have begun to crave chili and curry dishes. I know that normally people think of soup and stews, but generally I don't like soup unless it's my Aunt Nancy's split pea or navy bean soup. With that in mind I came across this wonderful recipe for a nice hearty stew using all sorts of fall veggies and unique spices...

MAKE-AHEAD VEGETARIAN MOROCCAN STEW

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 cups finely shredded kale
4 (14 ounce) cans organic vegetable broth
2-3 diced fresh tomatoes or 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon honey
4 large carrots, chopped
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
1 tablespoon water (optional)

Directions

1. Combine cinnamon, cumin, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, turmeric, curry powder, and salt in a large bowl, reserve.
2. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion in the butter until soft and just beginning to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the shredded kale and reserved spice mixture. Cook for 2 minutes or until kale begins to wilt and spices are fragrant.
3. Pour the vegetable broth into the pot. Stir in the tomatoes, honey, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, garbanzo beans, dried apricots, and lentils. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low.
4. Simmer stew for 30 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are cooked and tender. Season with black pepper to taste. If desired, combine optional cornstarch and water; stir into stew. Simmer until stew has thickened, about 5 minutes.  

Make-Ahead Tip:

If making ahead or freezing, prepare stew through Step 3. Simmer for 5 minutes over low heat; remove from heat and cool in the pot or in freezer-safe container. Transfer to the fridge (store for up to 3 days) or freezer. The vegetables store better if not fully-cooked prior to refrigeration or freezing. When ready to eat, (if frozen) thaw in refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours, then pour stew into a pot, bring just to a boil, and simmer until heated through