Daniel Fast Recipe: Hearty and Healthy Vegetable Stew

Looking for a cozy fall or winter meal that is hearty and healthy? This recipe is packed with nutritious vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and green beans, simmered in a flavorful vegetable broth. This stew is delicious, and completely aligns with the Daniel Fast!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 finely chopped large onion

3 chopped cloves of garlic

4 diced carrots

4 chopped celery sticks

2 peeled and diced large potatoes

An assortment of chopped vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, etc. (2 cups)

1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or kidney beans

1 can of diced tomatoes

4 cups of vegetable broth

2 teaspoons of dried thyme

1 teaspoon of dried oregano

1 cup of chopped spinach or kale

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Begin by heating the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot.

Step 2: Stir in the finely chopped onions and sauté them until they soften and start to turn translucent. This step brings out the sweetness in the onions.

Step 3: Add the chopped garlic, diced carrots, and chopped celery sticks and keep stirring for 5 minutes. 

Step 4: Combine the diced potatoes and chopped vegetables, sautéing them for another 5 minutes. 

Step 5: Blend in the chickpeas, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Let the ingredients simmer for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 6: Add in the chopped spinach or kale and season the stew with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for a few more minutes. 

Enjoy!

Food for the Soul

Read Psalm 27 below:

 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.

¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Food for Thought

We can remain confident that the Lord with with us, and we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Whatever difficulty you may be going through, remember that the Lord is your light and salvation. As you embark on the Daniel Fast in this season, remember to seek the Lord’s face as the psalmist did. Be strong, take heart, and wait for the Lord!

A Daniel Fast Prayer

Dear God, as I prepare my heart, mind and body for the Daniel Fast, may this journey lead to spiritual renewal and a powerful connection with you. I praise you because you are my light and my salvation. Teach me to seek your face, and to follow your path of joy and righteousness. Amen.