🥐 French · Main · Medium difficulty · Vegetarian
Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew
A heart-healthy slow-simmered stew with egg, thyme, rosemary and Dijon mustard, French flavours and no gluten.
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 40 min
- Total time
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 375 kcal
- Protein
- 21 g
- Carbs
- 21 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Course
- Main
About this French stew
Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew is a French main built around eggs. It takes about 55 min from start to finish, 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
Cooking method: stew. Difficulty is rated medium. Vegetarian, and marked gluten-free in our data.
Good for: heart-healthy, light & low calorie, meal prep, one-pot wonders, everyday healthy.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 8 eggs
- 400 g canned tomatoes
- 2 cups green beans, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 300 ml gluten-free stock
- Seasoning: thyme, rosemary and Dijon mustard
- Sauce: 2 tbsp Dijon mustard and 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Black pepper and a pinch of salt (optional)
Method
Step 1. Brown the egg in batches in a heavy pot; set aside.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 2. Soften the onion and carrots in the same pot for 5 minutes.
- Heat
- Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
- Look for
- Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
- Why it matters
- Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
- Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.
Step 3. Stir in the thyme, rosemary and Dijon mustard and tomatoes.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 4. Return the egg, add the stock and bring to a boil.
- Heat
- Keep the heat steady
- Look for
- The new ingredient is coated and the mixture returns to a gentle bubble.
- Why it matters
- Adding things in order lets each ingredient cook for just the right time.
- Avoid
- Dumping everything in at once: delicate items turn mushy before tougher ones are done.
Step 5. Cover and simmer for 54 minutes until tender and the sauce thickens.
- Heat
- Low, with small lazy bubbles
- Look for
- Small bubbles break the surface gently; the sauce thickens and the food turns tender.
- Why it matters
- Gentle, steady heat softens tough fibres and lets flavours blend without drying things out.
- Avoid
- Letting it boil hard, which toughens meat and reduces the liquid too fast. Lifting the lid too often loses heat.
Step 6. Adjust the seasoning and serve with chives.
- Heat
- Warm plates
- Look for
- Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
- Why it matters
- Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
- Avoid
- Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.
Chef's tip
Build flavour with citrus, herbs and spices instead of salt.
Equipment you will need
- Heavy pot with lid
- Wooden spoon
- Plate for browned meat
Nutrition per serving
Estimated per serving: 375 kcal, 21 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. Roughly 22% of the energy comes from protein, 22% from carbohydrate and 55% from fat, using standard energy values.
Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.
When to cook Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew
Substitutions and variations
- Brown the meat in batches for deeper flavour before adding liquid.
- Use lentils or chickpeas for a meat-free version and shorten the simmer time.
- Stews taste better the next day; cool, refrigerate and reheat until piping hot.
Frequently asked questions about Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew
How long does Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew take to make?
It takes about 55 min in total: 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving has about 375 kcal, with 21 g protein, 21 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.
Is Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew gluten-free?
It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.
Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
Yes, it is vegetarian: no meat, poultry or fish.
How difficult is it to cook?
It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.
Can I make Heart-Smart French Egg Slow-Simmered Stew ahead or freeze it?
Yes. Cool it quickly, refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot throughout.
How many servings does it make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.