Italian White Bean & Vegetable Stew (Vegetarian)

Member Name: sweetpea01

Product:	Vegetarian
Date:	14/01/09 (130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Its vegetarian!

Disadvantages: None

Now growing up in an Italian family there is not alot of room for vegetarians! Meat is an incredibly popular dish in Italy, from its appetizers to it's mains. Meat is featured alot! My cousin however is vegetarian!! She dediced from the age of 13 she no longer wanted to eat meat and being a supportive family we wanted to have her own taste of Italy!

The fortunate thing in my family is that most of the women are good cooks and came up with all sorts of wonderful italian vegetarian dishes for my cousin so she wouldn't miss the italian-ness!!

One of the best dishes which is always on the top ten list and is enjoyed by all the family is a white bean and vegetable stew - yes it doesn't sound particuarly exciting but its a heart dish which is full of flavour.

Ingredients:-

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 carrots, cut into 1-inch chunks
3 leeks, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch slices
2 cans cannellini beans
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 shallots, minced
1 cup dry white wine
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Method:-

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
Add carrots, leeks, and celery.
2. Saute vegetables about 10 minutes until they just start to brown.
3. Add beans, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper, and enough water just to cover.
4.Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 25 minutes.
In the meantime, sauté the shallots in 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet for 3-5 minutes.
5. Add the wine, increase the heat, and reduce the mixture to 1/4 cup.
6. When the vegetables have cooked for 25 minutes, add the shallot mixture and garlic.
7. Check the seasonings and add more salt and pepper if desired. Simmer for 5 minutes.
8. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and blend in well with the sauce.
9. Serve in individual bowls topped with chopped parsley.

This serves 4-6 and the ingredients can be adjusted accordingly.

A perfect dish for everyone to enjoy!

Summary: Easy to make and its lovely and filling