Colorful Peanut Vegetable Medley Casserole
Delight in this vibrant and flavorful casserole that brings together an array of fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and the rich taste of peanuts. This wholesome dish is perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal, offering a splendid mix of textures and colors that will brighten any table. The crushed peanuts serve not only as a crunchy topping but also enhance the dish's unique flavor profile. Easy to prepare and packed with nutrition, it's a family favorite that everyone will enjoy.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
peanut oil
2 tablespoons (or vegetable or canola oil)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
green bell pepper
1 (chopped)
red bell pepper
1 (chopped)
carrots
2 (peeled and cut into chunks)
potato
1 medium (peeled and cubed)
sweet potato
1 medium (peeled and cubed)
Italian-style crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (or plain crushed tomatoes with your favorite herbs added)
kidney beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (undrained, or pinto beans)
frozen chopped spinach
10 ounces
frozen corn
1 cup
salt
1 teaspoon
peanut butter
2 tablespoons
crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon
roasted peanuts
1/3 cup (chopped)
cooked rice
3 cups
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat peanut oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
2
Add the chopped green and red bell peppers to the skillet, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
3
Stir in the carrot chunks, cubed potato, and sweet potato, along with the can of crushed tomatoes. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat until the vegetables are just tender, about 10-15 minutes.
4
Incorporate the undrained kidney beans, frozen spinach, and corn into the skillet. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture appears too dry, add a splash of water or vegetable stock to maintain moisture.
5
Once everything is well combined, season with salt, peanut butter, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until the peanut butter is fully melted and mixed throughout.
6
Serve the vegetable medley hot over a bed of cooked rice and top with chopped roasted peanuts for that extra crunch. For added texture, you can also mix the peanuts into the casserole just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Colorful Peanut Vegetable Medley Casserole?
It is a vibrant vegetarian dish that combines a variety of fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and rich peanut flavors for a nutritious and comforting meal.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the recipe is entirely vegetarian and focuses on plant-based ingredients like beans and vegetables.
Can I use a different oil if I do not have peanut oil?
Yes, you can substitute peanut oil with vegetable or canola oil.
How many cloves of garlic are required?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
What types of bell peppers are used in this casserole?
The dish uses one chopped green bell pepper and one chopped red bell pepper.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be peeled and cut into chunks.
Do I need to peel the potatoes and sweet potatoes?
Yes, both the medium potato and the medium sweet potato should be peeled and cubed.
What size can of crushed tomatoes is needed?
You will need one 28-ounce can of Italian-style crushed tomatoes.
Can I use plain crushed tomatoes instead of Italian-style?
Yes, you can use plain crushed tomatoes and add your own favorite herbs.
Should I drain the kidney beans before adding them?
No, the kidney beans should be added undrained.
Can I substitute kidney beans with another type?
Yes, pinto beans are a suitable substitute for kidney beans in this recipe.
How much frozen spinach is required?
The recipe requires 10 ounces of frozen chopped spinach.
Is the corn used in this recipe fresh or frozen?
The recipe uses 1 cup of frozen corn.
What provides the spicy kick in this dish?
One teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes provides the heat.
What role does peanut butter play in the recipe?
Two tablespoons of peanut butter are stirred in at the end to add richness and melt into the sauce.
How are the roasted peanuts used?
The 1/3 cup of chopped roasted peanuts is used as a crunchy topping or mixed in just before serving.
What should this casserole be served over?
It is recommended to serve the vegetable medley hot over 3 cups of cooked rice.
How long should I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté them in peanut oil for about 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
How long do the root vegetables need to simmer?
The carrots, potato, and sweet potato should simmer with the tomatoes for 10 to 15 minutes until just tender.
What should I do if the mixture looks too dry while simmering?
You can add a splash of water or vegetable stock to maintain the desired moisture level.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy, nutritious, and low in cholesterol.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
The tags indicate there is a gluten-free option for this recipe, provided your specific ingredients like the broth or peanut butter are certified gluten-free.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 total ingredients listed for this dish.
What is the total amount of rice needed?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of cooked rice.
Are the red pepper flakes added at the beginning?
No, the red pepper flakes are added toward the end along with the salt and peanut butter.
How long is the final simmer after adding beans and spinach?
The mixture should simmer for an additional 10 minutes after adding the beans, spinach, and corn.
Is this a budget-friendly meal?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as budget-friendly, making use of affordable staples like potatoes, beans, and frozen vegetables.
What kind of texture does the peanut topping add?
The chopped roasted peanuts provide an extra crunch that contrasts with the tender vegetables.
Can I use plain frozen spinach?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 10 ounces of frozen chopped spinach.
Does this recipe contain any meat products?
No, this is a meat-free casserole suitable for those following a vegetarian diet.