Without meat in the pot, the trick is building savory depth another way — that's where mushrooms and a good warming spice blend come in. Here's what I'd reach for:
- 1/2 LB Dried Porcini Mushrooms (Cepes, Boletes), wildcrafted — rehydrate these and pour the soaking liquid right into your stew for rich, meaty umami.
- Baharat Blend Tin — a warm Middle Eastern blend with cumin, cinnamon, and pepper notes that's traditional in lentil dishes.
- Tamil Curry Tin — if you'd rather steer things toward a South Indian dal, this brings layered spice in one scoop.
Mix and match — porcini for the savory backbone, then baharat or curry to set the flavor direction.