You know those weirdos who get all excited about the simplest foods? Those people you see in the produce section, lunging for the first and most perfect pumpkin of the season? The shoppers playing bumper carts as they race down aisles, desperate to get the freshest, greenest head of kale? Yeah, I’m outing myself here: I’m one of them. Though the term “foodie” holds little meaning to me, I would gladly take the title of “food lover.” Spying a deal on favorite produce can make my day, and I have been known to literally jump up and down in the middle of a store upon finding a much sought-after edible.

Such was the scene in the early summer, when a brand new Whole Foods opened up practically down the street from me. Combing through the expansive bulk bin section first thing on opening day, a fascinating new selection of dry goods were right at my finger tips. Things I had only read about, like kaniwa, suddenly were within my reach. Right at the end of the line, as if saving the best for last, it was there that I came upon the 10 heirloom bean mix. Such a riot of colors and shapes seemed impossible to come from merely beans, those much maligned legumes that typically only came in varying shades of brown. Positively enchanted, I loaded up a bag full of the otherworldly bean blend, the smooth, dry skins clattering together gently as they slid off the metal scoop.

And then, they sat. Not quite forgotten, but with no clear destination, my pound-plus of gorgeous flageolet, orca, canary beans, and so forth remained squirreled away in the pantry, out of sight and definitely out of mind. Who wants to spend half a day bent over a boiling pot of beans in the heat of summer anyway?

Not a paltry handful of months could dampen my enthusiasm; Finally the heat broke, and those lovely legumes sprung back into my sights and finally onto my menu.

An ideal meal for a chilly fall or winter day, any sort of stew is perfect to warm the belly and sustain a difficult day of work. Or, fuel the mind for a long day of writing. Or simply provide comfort and nourishment for the worn and tired soul. Though the cooking process did undeniable dampen my rainbow of heirlooms, I’d gladly take the trade off of delicious, earthy flavor and creamy textures instead. Any sort of beans will do in this simple mixture, so don’t feel compelled to go out in search of a rare bean blend- Unless that sounds like your idea of fun, too.

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Yield: Makes 6 - 8 Servings

Garlicky Greens and Beans Stew

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An ideal meal for a chilly fall or winter day, any sort of stew is perfect to warm the belly and sustain a difficult day of work. Any sort of beans will do in this simple mixture, so don’t feel compelled to go out in search of a rare bean blend.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Red Onion, Diced
• 1 Whole Bulb Garlic (12 – 15 Cloves), Peeled and Finely Minced
• 8 Ounces Mushrooms, Roughly Chopped
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary
• 2 Teaspoons Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Corriander
• 1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 Tablespoons Tamari or Soy Sauce
• 1 Cup Mushroom or Vegetable Broth
• 1 28-Ounce Can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Large Sweet Potato, Peeled and Diced
• 3 Cups Cooked Beans (Heirloom 10 Bean Mix)
• 1 Bunch Kale (About 1 Pound), Cleaned, De-stemmed, and Chopped
• 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

1. Set a large stock pot over medium heat, and start by sauteing the chopped onion in the oil. Once softened and somewhat translucent, add in the minced garlic, and cook for about 5 or 6 minutes, until the onion just begins to brown around the edges.
2. Introduce the mushrooms at that point, and allow them 3 – 5 more minutes to cook down slightly and become aromatic.
3. Add in the spices and seasonings, along with your broth of choice, tomatoes, and sweet potato. Stir well, bring to a boil, and cover the pot. Turn the heat down so that the stew is at a lively simmer, and let cook for 15 minutes.
4. After that time has elapsed, add in the cooked beans, and continue simmering, uncovered, for another 15 minutes. Test the potatoes to make sure that they’re fork tender, and if they are, turn off the heat. Mix in the kale a few handfuls at a time, using the residual heat to wilt it down.
5. Mix in the balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with a chunk of crusty bread or over a bowlful of rice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 491Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 936mgCarbohydrates: 83gFiber: 22gSugar: 14gProtein: 27g