Beans with Tomatoes, Peppers, and Spinach

There are several ways to enjoy this delicious vegetable dish. Together with mashed potatoes, polenta, or rice, you can create an excellent standalone meal. In combination with toasted bread or fresh pita bread/flatbread, you get a perfect snack suitable for picnics and parties. In both cases, it’s worth noting that you’ll happily scrape your plate clean to the last drop.

Details

  • Preparation Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 100 minutes
  • Difficulty: 1
  • Spiciness: 0
  • Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 500 g Beans, grains

  • 6 spoon Oil, olive

  • 1 piece Onion, raw

  • 1 piece Bell pepper, red, fresh

  • 2 pod Garlic, fresh

  • 1 spoon Tomato, concentrate

  • 0.5 teaspoons Spices, paprika

  • 400 g Tomato, pieces - can

  • pieces Salt, table

  • 350 g Spinach, raw

Steps

  1. Drain the soaked beans, transfer them to a larger pot, and cover with a generous amount of cold water. The water level should be at least three fingers above the beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook the beans for another 1-1.5 hours, or until they are almost completely softened. Be careful not to overcook the beans.

  2. Peel the onion and garlic, and finely chop them separately. Wash the pepper and cut it in half. Remove the seeds and stem, then slice the halves into strips.

  3. Place a deeper pan on the stove and pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and sauté it, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent. Add the garlic, fresh and ground paprika, and sauté for a bit longer, then stir in the tomato paste. Add the diced tomatoes, pour in water, and season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

  4. Bring the sauce to a boil, then let it simmer gently for 30 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir in the washed and cleaned spinach and cook until it wilts, then remove the pan from the heat.

  5. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Drain the cooked beans. Mix them with 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the prepared sauce. Add more salt and/or pepper if needed.

  6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and drizzle the remaining oil on top. Place the dish in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. The dish is ready when the beans are completely softened and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot or cold.

Nutrition Information (Per 100g)

  • Calories: 160.48 kcal
  • Fat: 3.81 g
    • Saturated Fat: 0.44 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.94 g
    • Sugars: 1.27 g
  • Protein: 8.13 g
  • Fiber: 5.65 g

Advice

Instead of spinach, you can use thinly sliced Swiss chard or curly kale.