Lemon Kale & White Bean Stew

A simple, light & summery white bean stew made with everyday ingredients. Full of fresh lemony, garlicky  flavour & ready in under 30 minutes! 

A lovely reader left a comment on the blog tonight saying that she had made my Raspberry Walnut Squares and they were the best vegan thing she has ever made. I was understandably happy and told my husband about it. He joked that he’s glad someone’s getting to eat them as he hasn’t had them since they were published on the blog. He said he’s scared to tell me that he likes my recipes as once trials are finished and it appears on the blog he never gets it again! It made me laugh as people often say how lucky my family are to be surrounded by all of this yummy food but the reality is that we always eat late, the meal is often a bit cold if I’ve had to photograph it before we eat, and we hardly ever get to enjoy our favourite meals twice as I don’t have time to remake existing recipes when I am always working on something new.

After a day at work, plus a few hours after working on a new recipe, the key to my sanity is quick and easy when it comes to our evening meal, unless it’s one of those convenient occasions when I have been working on an entree then I am all set.

This Lemon Kale & White Bean Stew is a recipe that got thrown together after a particularly long day. I have since made it a couple more times to make sure it is just right and today I am sharing it with you.

My husband sits mourning it’s loss as we speak…………

Made with simple everyday ingredients, this Lemon Kale & White Bean Stew is so quick and easy to make. Unlike most stews it is light, summery and full of lemony, garlicky flavour. It is also virtually fat-free, low in calories, high in protein and fibre and super healthy. It makes a wonderful lunch or dinner and is perfect served with some freshly baked crusty bread. It’s a great recipe to cook in bulk as it freezes and reheats very well. I haven’t tried it but I think it would probably cook well in a slow cooker too.

I used Lima Beans in my recipe trials but Great Northern & Navy Beans would also work well.  Beans are a great sources of fibre, protein, iron, magnesium, potassium and folate and have been shown to cut your risk of developing coronary heart disease by as much as 82%* Consuming beans also helps to regulate blood sugar, improve gut health and lower cholesterol.

As well as being easy quick and easy to make this recipe is also very budget friendly especially if you buy dried beans rather than canned. Just be sure to soak them well and precook before using them in this recipe.

If you make this Lemon Kale & White Bean Stew please let me know what you think. Hit the yellow stars by the recipe to rate it and comment below. You can also tag me with #avirtualvegan on Instagram, post to my Facebook page or tweet @avirtualvegan. I love to hear from you!

Oh and by the way, in case you are thinking that my poor husband is neglected, I have promised him that I will make a batch of Raspberry Walnut Squares this weekend. There…It’s in writing…..I hope you are reading this Paul ;O)

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Lemon Kale & White Bean Stew

A simple, light & summery white bean stew made with everyday ingredients. Full of fresh lemony, garlicky flavour & ready in under 30 minutes!

Course Entree, Main Course, Soup

Recipe Type gluten-free, oil-free, vegan

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 147.5 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion , chopped finely
• 5 fat cloves of garlic , chopped finely
• 1.5 teaspoons dried or fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder , or cornstarch
• 300g | 4 cups cooked/ canned lima beans , or great northern or navy
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bunch kale , de-stalked & chopped finely (about 6 large leaves but don't worry if yours is a bit bigger or smaller. It doesn't matter)
• 1 medium lemon
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Saute the onion until translucent in a large pan. I used a dry pan but you can use oil or a bit of water if you prefer.
2. Add the garlic and cook for one or two minutes longer.
3. Add the rosemary and arrowroot or cornstarch and stir well until the onions are coated.
4. Add the broth very slowly, stirring as you go to avoid lumps ( a few little ones won't hurt).
5. Add the beans and stir over a medium heat until the broth starts to thicken (5 - 10 minutes).
6. Add the kale.
7. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze as much juice as you can into the pan.
8. Throw in the lemon halves too.
9. Cook until it is heated through and the kale has softened (about 10 minutes).
10. Remove the lemon halves from the pan before serving and discard but be sure to squeeze them really well as you take them out to make the most of any remaining juice/flavour. Either use tongs or squeeze against the side of the pan with a spoon.

Nutrition Facts

Lemon Kale & White Bean Stew

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 147.5 Calories from Fat 7

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0.8g 1%

Sodium 311mg 13%

Total Carbohydrates 29g 10%

Dietary Fiber 7.4g 30%

Sugars 5.6g

Protein 8.2g 16%

Vitamin A 59%

Vitamin C 68%

Calcium 8%

Iron 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Bazzano LA, He J, Ogden LG, Loria CM, Whelton PK. Dietary fiber intake and reduced risk of coronary heart disease in US men and women: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. Arch Intern Med. 2003 Sep 8;163(16):1897-904. 2003.