Stewed White Beans with Carrots

Stewed white beans with carrots and onions are great to cook as they can be used for multiple meals. These simple dishes serve as the base for more complex recipes, allowing you to plan and reduce daily cooking efforts.

This dish makes an excellent base for future meals. This dish is easy to prepare and adds rich flavor, perfect for recipes like borsch.

Preparing these ingredients in advance gives you a head start on your next meal. With just a few steps, you can create a flavorful dish that’s versatile and time-saving.

Directions

1. Soak the beans for 4-5 hours before cooking. Beans can be small or coarse. Larger beans take longer to swell and cook. Consider this when buying. You better use small beans.
   

2. Drain the water in which the beans were steeped before cooking.
3. Cook the swollen beans in salted water over low heat for 2 hours. Try it. If the beans are still hard, cook for a while. Make sure that the beans do not boil into a mushy mixture. We need whole beans.
4. Keep in mind that beans expand in volume when boiled, approximately twice.
5. Peel the carrots and onions. Cut into small cubes or whatever you like. Larger cubes store more flavor and juice for each vegetable.
6. Preheat a frying pan and pour in some vegetable oil. Add chopped vegetables. Salt and pepper them. Stew over low heat, covered, until vegetables are tender.
7. Combine boiled beans with fried vegetables in a frying pan. Add some more vegetable oil. Simmer for another 10 minutes. Don’t forget to stir. Remove the finished dish and serve.
8. Transfer the leftover beans to a glass jar or other storage container. In this form, beans can be stored for several days or even a week. But it is best to cook borsch or soup within the first 3-5 days. When you cook the borsch, simply add a glass of leftover beans and vegetables to the boiling broth.

Why Should You Eat Stewed White Beans?

Stewed white beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, making them a perfect alternative to meat. Their protein content is comparable to that of meat, providing all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth and repair.

This makes beans an ideal choice for vegetarians and anyone looking to reduce their meat consumption. In addition to being a great protein source, beans are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. They are rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and folate, which support overall health.

Beans also help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a smart choice for individuals managing diabetes or those seeking to maintain stable energy throughout the day.

Consuming beans regularly can have significant cardiovascular benefits. They promote heart health by reducing cholesterol levels, improving heart rate, and strengthening blood vessel walls.

How to Boil Beans

To boil beans, sort and rinse them. Soaking is optional but helps reduce cooking time. Soak the beans for 6-8 hours or overnight, or boil for 2-3 minutes, then let them sit for an hour.

After soaking, drain the beans and place them in a pot with fresh water, about 3 cups of water per 1 cup of beans. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, checking for tenderness.

Once the beans are soft, drain excess water. If you want them softer, cook longer. Add salt or seasoning after cooking to keep the beans tender.

Video by Scoff

Benefits of This Recipe 

Stewed white beans with carrots offer a nutritious and satisfying dish. White beans are rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals like iron and magnesium, making them great for muscle health and digestion.

Carrots add a boost of vitamins, particularly vitamin A, which supports eye health and immune function.

They create a balanced meal that helps regulate blood sugar and maintain a healthy heart. This dish is also low in fat, making it an excellent choice for weight management.