- ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons coconut oil, divided
- 1 spicy red or serrano chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 large cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped
- 1 pound chicken breast (skin and bones removed), cut into bite-size chunks
- sea salt
- 4 teaspoon gluten-free tamari
- 4 cup water
- 1⅓ cup thinly sliced turnips (slices halved or quartered, depending on size of turnips)
- 1⅓ cup thinly sliced carrots
- 4 small tomatoes, diced
- 8 large button mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1⅓ cup corn kernels or sliced baby corn
- 1⅓ cup sliced green beans
- 4 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1 cup raw cashews (you might as well have a few more, just for munching)
- 2⅔ cup chopped napa cabbage
- 2⅔ cup chopped bok choy
- Set all prepped ingredients near your stovetop. It's so helpful to have everything chopped and ready for this very quick-to-cook stew.
- Heat a stockpot or large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Quickly heat ¼ cup of the coconut oil, then turn the heat down to medium. Cook the chile pepper (if using), onion, and garlic in the pot for about 1 minute.
- Add the chicken and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Stir and cook for another minute or so.
- Add the tamari and water. Stir and turn the heat to high. When the liquid comes to a boil, add the turnips and carrots. Reduce the heat to a vigorous simmer and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for a minute. Add the mushrooms, corn, and green beans and cook for 2 minutes. Set the soup aside until you're ready to eat.
- In a small skillet, cook the shallots over medium-low heat with 1 teaspoon of the remaining coconut oil for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. Stir the shallots regularly to ensure even cooking. Set aside.
- Next, toast the cashews in the remaining 1 teaspoon coconut oil until golden. Set aside.
- Just before eating, bring the soup to a simmer. Add the cabbage and bok choy. Stir. Cook only a minute or so, until all the veggies are just tender. Taste for seasoning, and add a little more tamari, if you think it needs it.
- Top each serving with plenty of fried shallot and cashews; the tasty toppings are key!