This vegetarian stew has a colorful array ofbeans and features the lesser-known adzuki bean, a small red bean that’s aparticular favorite in macrobiotic diets. It’s a nutritional powerhouse, loadedwith minerals and easier to digest than some other beans. Kombu is a seavegetable (aka seaweed) that helps tenderize the beans and imparts mineralsduring cooking. I like to think of it as the bay leaf for beans. Adding chunkyvegetables and quinoa to this stew gives it a hearty enough texture to satisfyany meat-eating friends or family. Note that the black beans should be soakedseparately as they are cooked longer than the others.
1unpeeled sweet potatoscrubbed and chopped into ½-inch cubes
2clovesgarlicminced
¼cupred quinoa
1tablespoonchili powder
2teaspoonsground cumin
1teaspoonground ginger
1teaspoonsea salt
½teaspoonground cinnamon
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS
1cupcorn kernels
¼cupdiced green chilies
1cupfire-roasted peppers
Instructies
Rinse the beans thoroughly and drain.
Put the black beans in a large stockpot with the broth and kombu.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the adzuki and cannellini beans and simmer for another 60 to 90 minutes, or until all the beans are tender.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat.
Add the onion and sauté until translucent.
Add the zucchini and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
Set aside.
When the beans are tender, discard the kombu.
Add the onions and zucchini, sweet potato, garlic, quinoa, chili powder, cumin, ginger, salt, and cinnamon to the stockpot.
Stir in any optional items at this time.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle and the sweet potato to soften.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Quinoa is higher in healthy unsaturated fats than most other grains and even contains a small amount of omega-3s. It’s also loaded with a unique blend of phytonutrients known to be anti-inflammatory.