You know I love a stew. And this one’s extra special, featuring a *coming soon* My New Roots x Beanstory organic heirloom bean mix. I am so excited about this partnership and can’t wait to share these super-special beans with you. As a Grow member, you’re the first to receive the recipe and will be the first to know when the beans “go live” in a couple weeks!
Feel free to make this stew with a variety of beans you have on hand, but keep them all approximately the same size so they cook evenly. This special blend with Beanstory includes: Andino, Black, Cranberry, Peruano, Rio Zape, Tiger’s Eye, and Zuni Gold. Find some of these varieties through Beanstory’s website on their own!
Garlicky Mixed Bean & Fennel Stew
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 280g Bean Story Organic Heirloom mixed beans check out Beanstory!
- 2 tsp. fine sea salt divided
- 2 Tbsp. ghee or expeller-pressed coconut oil
- 2 medium / 350g yellow onions
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium / 500g fennel bulb sliced lengthwise into thin strips
- 1 ½ tsp. smoked paprika
- A few springs fresh thyme or 1-2 tsp. dried
- 2 bay leaves
- Pinch crushed chili flakes
- ½ tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth make your own broth!
- 1 large can 28oz. / 796ml crushed tomatoes
- 3-4 slices lemon
- 1 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
- 2 cups / 50g lightly packed shredded kale leaves
- 1 tsp. fennel seeds
- cold-pressed olive oil to garnish
Directions
- Soak the beans overnight in plenty of fresh filtered water, or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse well. Place in a cooking pot with more water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cook covered for about 45 minutes until the beans are tender. Add one teaspoon of the salt towards the end of cooking, then turn off the heat and let the beans sit in the salty water until you’r ready to use them (this can be a few days ahead).
- Heat a knob of oil in a large stockpot. Slice onions and add to the pot with about half a teaspoon of the sea salt, stir well to coat and cook for about 7-10 minutes until the onions are lightly golden and silky. Add the garlic and cook for two minutes. Add the fennel, smoked paprika, thyme, bay, crushed chilli flakes, and black pepper, stir well to coat. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the fennel is tender. If the pot become too dry at any point, add a touch of broth.
- Add tomato paste and let cook for 2 minutes, then add the broth, crushed tomatoes, and the slices of lemon. Drain the beans and add to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook or 20-45 minutes until the flavours have developed to your liking. Add the honey, stir, taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the fennel seeds until fragrant. Remove from heat and grind a few in a mortar and pestle, or with the back of a spoon. Set aside for garnish.
- Just before serving, add the kale and stir well to combine. Remove from heat and let the residual warmth wilt the greens.
- Ladle the stew into bowls, drizzle generously with olive oil, and top with the toasted fennel seeds. Say thank you, and enjoy.
Notes
Serves 4-6
