Emeril’s All Naturla Vegetable Stock Recipes

Simple Lentil Salad
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Emeril’s Food of Love Productions, 2008

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. When hot, add the onions, carrots and celery and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the lentils, vegetable stock, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until lentils are just tender, 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take care not to overcook or lentils will become mushy.

When the lentils are just tender, strain immediately in a colander and discard the cooking liquid. Place the warm lentils in a bowl and add the red and yellow bell peppers, parsley, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Toss well to combine. Adjust seasoning if necessary and allow to cool to room temperature before serving. Serve as a side dish with chicken or fish.

Yield: 2 quarts, 6 to 8 servings

Healthy Vegetable Stir Fry
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Emeril’s Food of Love Productions, 2008

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or a wok over medium high heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant but not brown, about 30 seconds. Add all of the vegetables and sauté, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock, cover the pan, and cook the vegetables until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

In a small bowl combine the oyster sauce, soy sauce and cornstarch. Mix well. Remove the cover from the pan and add the oyster sauce mixture. Stir well to combine and cook until the sauce is thickened, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings

Spinach Risotto
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Emeril’s Food of Love Productions, 2008

In a 2-quart saucepan, bring the vegetable stock to a simmer. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the onions. Cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 5 to 10 seconds. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the wine, stir, and cook until completely reduced. Ladle in 4 to 6 ounces of the hot stock, and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is completely absorbed by the rice. Repeat this process until rice is al dente and creamy, usually 18 to 20 minutes. (You may have a little stock leftover.)

Remove the rice from the heat and add the butter, parmesan cheese, and spinach. Stir to combine, then season with salt and white pepper to taste.

Yield: 1 quart, 4 to 6 servings

Garlic Braised Swiss Chard
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Emeril’s Food of Love Productions, 2008

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When hot, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the greens, in batches, stirring between additions until the greens wilt slightly. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the stock, salt, crushed red pepper and cayenne and continue to cook until greens are just tender, 4 to 5 minutes longer.

Yield: 2 to 4 servings

Minty Green Peas

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the peas and stock and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the saucepan and simmer until tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add the salt and mint and stir. Using a slotted spoon transfer the peas to serving plates.

YIELD: About 3 cups serving 4 to 6