Warming Tomato & White Bean Stew

• •2 tbsp Olive Oil
• •1 medium, diced Yellow Onion
• •3 cloves, minced Garlic
• •1 tsp (optional, adjust to taste) Red Pepper Flakes
• •1 can (28 oz), undrained Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Tomatoes
• •2 cups Vegetable Broth
• •1 tsp Dried Oregano
• •1 tsp Dried Basil
• •1 tsp (or to taste) Salt
• •1 tsp (or to taste) Black Pepper
• •2 cans (15 oz each), rinsed and drained Cannellini Beans
• •5 oz (about 5-6 cups packed) Fresh Spinach
• •2 tbsp, chopped (for garnish, optional) Fresh Parsley or Basil
• •2 tbsp (for serving, optional) Grated Parmesan Cheese
• •4 slices (for serving, optional) Crusty Bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

3. 3

   Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

4. 4

   Pour in the undrained Trader Joe's fire-roasted tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

5. 5

   Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen.

6. 6

   Stir in the rinsed and drained cannellini beans. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 5 minutes to heat the beans through.

7. 7

   Add the fresh spinach, a handful at a time, stirring until it completely wilts into the stew. This should take 2-3 minutes. The volume of spinach will significantly reduce.

8. 8

   Taste the stew and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your preference.

9. 9

   Ladle the warming tomato and white bean stew into bowls. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For extra protein, consider adding cooked Italian sausage (vegan or regular) or shredded chicken along with the beans in step 6.
• 💡Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like chopped zucchini or bell peppers during the last 10 minutes of simmering in step 5.
• 💡This stew tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• 💡While Trader Joe's fire-roasted tomatoes are recommended for their smoky depth, any good quality canned fire-roasted tomatoes will work beautifully.