Mediterranean Herb-Infused Beans and Veggie Medley
Discover a delightful twist on bean dishes with this Mediterranean Herb-Infused Beans and Veggie Medley. Unlike traditional bean recipes that lean heavily on tomato and spice, this dish showcases the natural flavors and textures of fresh ingredients. Packed with a harmonious blend of great northern and red beans, crisp green beans, and a melody of aromatic vegetables, it's pleasantly mild with just a hint of warmth from the fresh red chili peppers. Perfect for those who prefer a subtler taste without sacrificing flavor, this dish can be enjoyed warm or cold, making it versatile for any meal. Serve it alongside crusty bread dipped in olive oil, fluffy rice, or whole grain barley for a satisfying feast. For a creamy touch, consider adding a dollop of sour cream. Ideal for meal prep or a comforting family dinner, this recipe is sure to please both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
great northern beans
1 (15 ounce can, drained and rinsed)
red beans
1 (15 ounce can, drained and rinsed)
garlic
5 (teaspoons, minced)
onion
1 (large, chopped)
carrot
1 (cup, thinly sliced)
celery
1/2 (cup, thinly sliced)
green beans
2 (cups, fresh, cleaned and cut)
red chili peppers
2 (chopped (seeds removed for less heat, if desired))
bay leaves
2 (whole)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing all vegetables: mince the garlic, chop the onion, thinly slice the carrot and celery, and cut the green beans into bite-sized pieces.
2
In a large crock pot, combine the rinsed great northern and red beans, minced garlic, chopped onion, sliced carrot, sliced celery, and fresh green beans.
3
Stir in the chopped red chili peppers, ensuring that the seeds are adjusted to your desired heat level.
4
Add the bay leaves, and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Cover the crock pot and set it to the low setting, allowing the ingredients to simmer for 8 hours or until the beans and vegetables reach your preferred level of tenderness.
6
Once cooked, carefully remove the bay leaves before serving. This dish can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite sides.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Herb-Infused Beans and Veggie Medley?
It is a vegetable and bean dish that focuses on natural flavors and textures, featuring great northern, red, and fresh green beans.
Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, it is a vegetarian recipe that is also suitable for meat-lovers.
What makes this recipe unique compared to traditional bean dishes?
Unlike many recipes that rely on heavy tomato and spice, this dish showcases a harmonious blend of herbs and fresh ingredients.
What types of beans are included in this medley?
The recipe uses great northern beans, red beans, and fresh green beans.
How do I prepare the great northern and red beans?
You should use 15-ounce cans of both beans that have been drained and rinsed.
What cooking method is used for this recipe?
The dish is prepared using a large crock pot on a low setting.
How long does the recipe take to cook?
The ingredients should simmer for 8 hours or until the beans and vegetables reach your desired level of tenderness.
Is this dish spicy?
The dish is pleasantly mild with just a hint of warmth from fresh red chili peppers.
How can I adjust the heat level of the chili peppers?
You can adjust the heat by removing the seeds from the red chili peppers for a milder taste.
Can I serve this dish cold?
Yes, the dish is versatile and can be enjoyed either warm or cold.
What side dishes go well with this bean medley?
It pairs well with crusty bread dipped in olive oil, fluffy rice, or whole grain barley.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is considered an ideal recipe for meal prep or a comforting family dinner.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 5 teaspoons of minced garlic.
What vegetables are needed for the medley?
You will need onion, carrot, celery, and fresh green beans.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be thinly sliced, measuring about one cup.
How should the celery be prepared?
The celery should be thinly sliced, totaling about half a cup.
Should I remove the bay leaves before serving?
Yes, carefully remove the two bay leaves once the cooking process is complete.
Can I add a topping for a creamier texture?
Yes, you can consider adding a dollop of sour cream for a creamy touch.
What aromatics are used in this dish?
The dish uses minced garlic, chopped onion, and whole bay leaves for aroma.
How many red chili peppers should I use?
The recipe requires 2 chopped red chili peppers.
Are the green beans canned or fresh?
The recipe specifies 2 cups of fresh, cleaned, and cut green beans.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe packed with nutritious vegetables and beans.
What is the first step in preparing this recipe?
The first step is to mince the garlic, chop the onion, slice the carrot and celery, and cut the green beans into bite-sized pieces.
Can I cook this recipe on a high setting?
The instructions specifically recommend using the low setting for 8 hours for best results.
How should I season the bean mixture?
You should season the mixture with salt and pepper to your personal taste.
Does this recipe contain any meat products?
No, this is a completely vegetarian dish.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe calls for one large, chopped onion.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe with simple instructions.
What size are the canned beans used in this dish?
The recipe uses 15-ounce cans for both the great northern and red beans.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It has a subtler, mild taste intended to showcase natural flavors and aromatic herbs.