Bean Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dried beans black, small red, or pinto beans are great in this recipe
- 2 T. olive oil
- 1-2 onions chopped
- ½ cup carrots peeled and sliced or chopped
- ½ cup celery sliced
- ½ cup green or red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 5-6 cups beef chicken, or vegetable broth, divided
- 2 T. garlic minced
- 2 cups fresh tomatoes skinned and chopped, or 1 14½-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 T. tomato paste
- 2 T. honey
- 2-4 tsp. chili powder
- 1-2 tsp. cumin
- ½ tsp. oregano
- splash of lemon or lime juice optional
- shredded cheese sour cream, fresh snipped cilantro or parsley for garnishes
Instructions
- Soak the beans in water overnight.
- Or, if you want to make the stew today, you can put the dried beans in a large stockpot, cover with water, and bring the mixture to a boil; cover the pot, turn off heat, and let the beans sit for an hour.
- Both of these methods help the beans to soften and cook more evenly and quickly.
- Whichever method you use, when the time is up, drain and rinse the beans and set them aside.
- In a large stockpot, heat the olive oil along with a splash of the broth; add the onions, carrots, celery, and bell pepper and cook until the vegetables are limp.
- Add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring gently, for 1 minute.
- Add the beans, 4 cups of the remaining broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, honey, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to the pot; cover and simmer until beans are cooked, about 1½ -2 hours. (Variables such as how old and dry the beans are, how long they soaked, and what variety you use make this timing approximate only. )
- Add more broth if needed during the cooking process.
- When beans are thoroughly cooked, add a splash of lemon or lime juice if desired. (I think it helps to brighten the flavors, so I usually add some. )
- Ladle into individual bowls and serve with garnishes of your choice.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
You can save time by using 3 cans of store-bought or home-canned pint jars of beans instead of using dried beans. Drain and rinse the beans, and then follow the instructions beginning with the second paragraph.