The rain falls hard on a humdrum town, today.It is one of those cool, rainy New England days where you just want to stay in and avoid the weather.This calls for a song, and a photo, I think.I think you would agree, maybe.

The song…

The photo…

Now you have the weather forecast, lucky you.These kind of days call for certain kinds of food- I think you know what that is.I think.It calls for a stews, maybe soups, but definitely stews.That is what I am saying, and it is my blog.So it sticks!

but, what if you are telling yourself this: “Self, I want a stew, but I really want even more carbs, because I really love carbs.”

Well, I have the answer for you.The answer was so obvious to me, that I just went and did it.As you know I am a man of action, I like action, and I commit, and complete.So, I solved that riddle and came up with this, the “beef” stew stromboli.

That is correct, you are not misreading that, you are indeed correct.A “beef” stew stromboli.Yes, it deserves praise, and there is a comment section for that.

I made one before, and maybe you have read it, maybe you have not. Here it is.It is basically the same recipe for the bread part, I just did not add the olive oil.

Make that dough,and while you wait for it to rise, make the stew filling.As always most of my stews are in some way inspired by the first real vegan stew I loved, Veganomicon’s Cholent.Well, kind of anyways.

Stew Filling Ingredients.
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- 1 cup of diced onion.
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
- A few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
- 1 teaspoon of sage.
- 1 teaspoon of oregano.
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoon of thyme.
- 4 cups of vegetable stock.
- 1 8 ounce can of tomato sauce.
- 1/2 to 1 cup of TVP chunks.
- 2 medium carrots, chopped up, smallish.
- 3 medium potatoes, chopped up, smallish.
- 1 cup of frozen or fresh green beans.
- Salt.
- Pepper.

Okay, let’s get this moving.Heat up the oil in a large pot.Saute the onions, for 5 or so minutes, add the garlic, cook a few more minutes,stirring from time to time.Why? Because it makes you look like you know what you are doing, and it is fun.That is why!

Now, add the balsamic vinegar, thyme, sage, and oregano.Cook that for a few minutes, till the vinegar is glazed onto the onions.Now add everything else other than the green beans.Lower heat to half way between medium and low, lid it, and let it cook for 30 or so minutes.Toss in the green beans , and let them heat through.Your stew filling is now complete.

Note: Most of the vegetable stock should be absorbed,but some will remain, you want some, just not too much.

Now it is time to construct your stromboli.

Roll out your dough into basically a pizza shape, about an inch or so thick.Lay the filling out, just as you would with a pizza, not too thick,but spread it out. You want to fill most of the surface.Now, roll it up, seal and tuck in the edges.A helpful hint: build it on the baking pan you will be using.Once it is all rolled and ready to go brush cold water allover it, then brush on some melted Earth Balance.Sprinkle some sesame seeds allover it, and off to the oven it goes!

Oh, right.I should have mentioned to pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees, my bad.Bake for 30-40 minutes, till it is just becoming a little golden brown.It will be super duper hot, so let it cook a bit, then slice it up and enjoy.

Just for fun, here is a random photo of the Bunny, being lazy.Disapproving Bunny disapproves of camera.