Veggie's in Z'ara Peanut Sauce

What you need:

olive oil
5 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
1 medium red onion, finely minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2-1/2 cups water
1-1/2 cups all natural peanut butter (no sugar)
3 to 4 tablespoons maple syrup or sweetener of your choice (don't use if your peanut butter is sweetened)
1 bay leaf
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
crushed red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
1 medium eggplant, chopped in bite sized chunks (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 to 2 zucchini, chopped in bite sized chunks (about 1 cup)
1 to 2 carrots, chopped in bite sized chunks (about 1 cup)
1 bell pepper, chopped in bite sized chunks (I like red, but whatever you choose is ok)

What you do:

1. Heat oil in pan. Saute the garlic and onion until the onion is soft.
2. Add the tomato paste. Stir and cook on medium heat for 1 minutes.
3. Lower heat. Stir in water, peanut butter, maple syrup, bay leaf, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes. Stir up real good and cover pan. Simmer on low - be sure to stir occasionally.
4. Heat more oil in a separate pan. Add vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, carrots, and bell pepper). Cover them and let them cook, stirring occasionally.
5. After about 8 minutes of cooking the veggies, add the sauce to the veggie pan and stir up. Cook it up for a few minutes. Serve over rice noodles, rice, or other pasta.
Source of recipe: I found it online and adapted it a bit.

Preparation Time:

10 to 15 minutes, Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

10 to 15 minutes

Servings:

4 to 6