Best Bean Stew

What makes a stew a stew?

A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that are cooked in liquid and served in its own gravy. Recipes can be with or without meat. Often, as in this recipe, a small amount of red wine is added for flavor. Enjoy this recipe for best bean stew!

Wow! They’re very old!

Wikipedia claims that stews have been around since ancient times, with the oldest evidence attributed to the Jomon period in Japan (roughly 14,000 to 300 BC). But according to Bon Appétit, it wasn’t named “stew” until 1756 in reference to a heated room. Regardless of how long stews have been around or how they acquired the name - many cultures embrace them as part of their regular diets. A wise choice indeed- as stews are filling, comforting, and easy to make in one pot!  What’s not to love????

Recipe for best bean stew

Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon high-quality olive oil
• 2 teaspoons ground sage
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (33.5 oz.) can peeled plum tomatoes, undrained, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 (15 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed
• 1/3 cup high-quality red wine
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat until hot. Add sage and garlic. Cook and stir for about 2 to 3 minutes until garlic is fragrant and tender (do not brown garlic.) Stir in the chopped canned tomatoes and their juices. Then add the basil, beans, wine, sugar, salt, and pepper. Gently stir and bring ingredients to a boil. Then reduce heat to low. Simmer for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the stew is nicely thickened.

Serving idea:

Stews are best served with fresh bread for sopping up the juices. A French-style baguette or a crusty loaf of Italian bread are excellent choices. Both have crispy outsides for holding the bread in one’s hand - and soft insides for soaking up all the juicy goodness of the stew! One may also make a savory pull-apart bread ideal for enjoying with stew. ENJOY!