Hearty Vegetable Bean Stew (Printable version)
Comforting blend of seasonal vegetables, beans, and herbs simmered to tender perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
09 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
→ Legumes
10 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
11 - 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed
→ Liquids
12 - 4 cups vegetable broth
→ Herbs & Spices
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Add carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in red bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans; cook for another 3 minutes.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, cannellini beans or chickpeas, vegetable broth, dried thyme, oregano, bay leaf, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and black pepper.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
07 - Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It transforms random vegetables into something deeply satisfying without any fuss.
- The leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle in.
02 -
- Dont skip the smoked paprika, its what makes this stew taste deeper and more interesting than it has any right to.
- Let the stew sit for a few minutes after cooking, the flavors settle and it tastes even better than when it first came off the heat.
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables roughly the same size so they cook evenly and nothing turns to mush while other pieces stay hard.
- If the stew tastes a little flat at the end, a pinch of salt or a splash of vinegar will wake it right up.