Braised Vegetables with Vegan Sweet and Sour Sauce

Enjoy your favorite sweet and sour taste in this recipe, without the processed ingredients often used in pre-made sweet and sour sauces. The dish is quick and easy to prepare, so you can have a delicious and nutritious lunch or dinner in no time.

Asparagus contains an abundance of flavonoids, many of which have not yet been discovered or studied. They have strong anti-inflammatory properties, act as a natural aspirin, and soothe an overwhelmed and stagnant liver. Thanks to this calming effect, the liver's ability to cleanse itself is significantly increased.

Broccoli stems are rich in phytochemical sulfur compounds that adversely affect unproductive bacteria and other microorganisms in the intestinal tract. These compounds also reach the liver directly, where they penetrate liver tissue and support its immune system in fighting pathogens.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped green onions;
• 1 cup carrots, sliced into rounds;
• 2 cups broccoli florets;
• 2 cups chopped asparagus;
• 1 cup thinly sliced sweet peppers (red, orange, and/or yellow).

For the sweet and sour sauce:

• 1 cup unsweetened or freshly squeezed pineapple juice;
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice;
• 1 tsp grated ginger;
• 1 tsp grated garlic;
• ¼–½ tsp Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes;
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup;
• 2 tbsp tomato paste;
• 1 tbsp arrowroot starch.

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, lime juice, grated ginger and garlic, Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes, maple syrup, tomato paste, and arrowroot starch. Set the sauce aside.

Place the green onions and carrots in a large non-stick ceramic skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, adding a little water as needed to prevent sticking, until the carrots are almost tender.

Add the broccoli, asparagus, and sweet peppers and cook for another 5 minutes. When all the vegetables are tender, pour the sweet and sour sauce into the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir frequently until the sauce thickens.

Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Serves 2.