Vegetarian Irish Stew

In honor of the holiday and due to the fact I promised dinner to a vegetarian friend tonight I decided to attempt the classic Irish Stew but make it vegetarian and/or vegan friendly.

Vegetarian Irish Stew

2 cup onion diced
2 cups potato peeled and chopped
2 cups carrots in 2 in. pieces
1 1/2 cups parsnips in 2 inch pieces
1 cup mushrooms rough chopped
2/3 cup red lentils
4 cups vegetable stock
1 can tomato juice.
1/2 t. thyme
1/2 t. rosemary
2 T soy sauce or aminos
Optional : 2 cups of crumbled meat replacement like tempah or Boca burger
1 dark beer porter/stout (note some consider Guinness not vegan friendly)

Chop 2 medium onions (aprox 2 cups) and add to saute pan w/ 2 T oil or butter. Slowly saute to allow the sugars from the onion to release and caramelize. Add all chopped vegetables , cooked onions, & lentils to crock pot or large pan. Cover with liquids(stock, tomato juice, beer). Cook on low in crock pot 6-8 hours or simmer in pan 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Garnish with parsley.

Serve with crusty bread, cold beer, and warm friends