The gloomy weather we’ve had the past few days really put me in the mood to cook. I was briefly warmed by adrenaline on Friday night, witnessing Derek Jeter make baseball history in person (baseball fans, anyone?). Though the elation throughout the stadium was certainly electric, the high did eventually pass, and the two hour rain delay, raw air, and swirling mist set a permanent chill in me. I was in desperate need of some real cooking: standing over the countertop chopping and peeling, stirring a pot on the stove, breathing in the heat and aroma as flavor builds.
Good thing the vibe hit me – I bought some beautiful fresh cranberry beans earlier in the week, and the process of deshelling, while somewhat therapeutic, was a little tedious. I didn’t mind though – they were just so pretty to look at.
Once the beautiful beans were out of their shells, I wanted to whip together something warm and filling. I needed that from the inside, since the weather outdoors wasn’t much help.
curried sweet potato, eggplant, and cranberry bean stew (serves 2)
- 1 c fresh cranberry beans, shelled
- ~ half medium eggplant, cut into 1/2″ cubes
- 1 large sweet potato, steamed and mashed
- 2 c vegetable broth
- 4 c Swiss chard, coarsely chopped
- 1 t curry powder
- 1/2 t coriander
- 1/2 t cumin
- 1/2 t garam masala
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 c cashews, for garnish
Preheat oven to 400. Roast eggplant for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cover cranberry beans with water in medium pot; bring to boil and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes, until cooked. Drain beans and set aside.
Add spices to pot over low heat, sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add vegetable broth, mashed sweet poatotoes, roasted eggplant, beans, and chard. Stir and simmer 5-7 minutes, until chard has wilted. Remove from heat; add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with cashews before serving.
This was exactly what I was craving: a steaming, veggie-heavy, one dish meal. Swiss chard becomes so sweet when it’s cooked; along with the sweet potato, it was a nice contrast to the roasted eggplant and savory spices. Mmm. Glad I have leftovers.
What do you make when you get the urge to spend time in the kitchen?
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Gorgeous stew! When I’m in the mood to cook, I always make Breakfast for Dinner. so good for some reason, have a great day love!
Aside from wanting to be in the kitchen most every night making dinner — I know, weird? – When I get a random cooking urge outside of that it is usually baking – some experimental recipe with whatever I have on hand!
Looks delicious :D I like making ratatouille when I feel like cooking…
Stunning, those beans!
i love making stews and “hugh asss” salads :)
yummy stew of goodies! :)
This stew was just made for me with the chard, curry, beans, and sweet potato. I love all of the elements, especially the cashews on top.
Thanks for sharing. I may just make it this week!
You saw that game live?? I am definitely very very jealous.
I’m more of a baking type… cooking has to be fast and simple for me most of the time! ;)
<3 <3
I usually bake when I have nothing to do all day but stay inside. My brother was coming up to visit me a couple weeks ago and when he called me to tell me he was going to be 3 hours late, I took my frustration out by making Veggie Girl’s Pumpkin Banana muffins!
Bread. Love kneading my time away. Your stew is gorgeous. I love sweet potato in curry. Those beans are sooo lovely. Cooking (shelling, slicing, washing ingredients) is indeed therapy.
I love spending time in the kitchen baking with my Mum. We used to do that a lot when I was little, but it all stopped when I developed my ED so I love getting back into baking again.
BTW I’ve passed on a blog ward to you, check it out here
http://joyofood.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/lots-of-lovely-blogs/
Oh wow…. what a marvelous looking stew(?)!!!! I bake when I have time and energy -not as often as I’d like :(
-A
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