WTF Cookbook

[Mik]

Made this cheeseburger soup at the request of my bride. Simple but very tasty homespun grub. I did put a third cup of stock in it.

https://allrecipes.familyfreshrecipes.com/?p=5036

[wtg]

Soup season is upon us. Temps barely touched 50 here today and the first frost will hit us tonight.

@Mik - Have been looking for a recipe for cheeseburger soup. Will give that one a try!

[wtg]

Mexican Sweet Corn Cake. I saw it on Christopher Kimball's Milk Street a few days ago; it was an episode featuring blender cakes. I bought a new blender earlier this week and had to test it out.

It's quite good. Not nearly as sweet as I thought it would be with the condensed milk in it. I didn't do the powdered sugar on top for the whole cake because it gets gluey when it sits on the cake for a day or two.

Recipe here on a PBS website, though it was part of a Mexican foods episode rather than blender cakes.

https://wskg.org/episodes/2020-09-21/milk-street-mexican-favorites-ep-402

And here is a video of Kimball making the cake at home in an episode of the COVID-era Milk Street at Home.

Link to video

[Steve Miller]

All of the recipes on that page look fantastic!

Off to buy cranberry beans because I finally used up the 10# bag of them I bought at a restaurant supply place just as the Covid lockdown began.

[Steve Miller]

Turns out that none of the 4 grocery stores around me carry cranberry beans. I ended up buying them from Amazon and they’ll be here tomorrow.

When I came home and read up on them, however, I learned that two of the stores do sell them, one as “Roman Beans” and the other as “Borlotti Beans”.

Learn something every day!

[wtg]

@Steve-Miller said in WTF Cookbook:

“Roman Beans” and the other as “Borlotti Beans”.

The PBS link with the recipes mentioned that. I hadn't looked at the recipes other than the sweet corn cake one, so I went back after your first post and read the whole article and saw the bit about the beans; I didn't know they went by all of those different names either.

Are you doing the pork part of that recipe?

[Steve Miller]

No pork this time although I’m sure it would be delicious. I’m on a high fiber weight loss kick and beans get the job done. I have ham broth in the freezer that I made from the Easter ham (It’s crazy good with anything bean) and it should provide the pork kick I want.

I think a teaspoon of Mexican Oregano is going to bring that recipe over the top!

If you haven’t sampled Cranberry beans I highly recommend you do. I like all beans but Cranberries are my favorite.

[Steve Miller]

The beans are delicious!

[wtg]

From rustyfingers:

Slow Cooker Chicken Mole

We've been experimenting a lot with the slow cooker this year, and this is one of my favorites so far. Adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped (lazy cooks can substitute equivalent chopped frozen onion)
1/2 cup raisins
3 cloves garlic, chopped (I actually used 3 tsp jarred minced garlic)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 small can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (I didn't see that it was supposed to be chopped and actually cooked the chiles whole--the immersion blender chopped it up nicely--some commenters on allrecipes think this is too spicy and just use one chile, but we liked it with more punch)
scant 3 tablespoons old fashioned peanut butter
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (I substituted 2 14 oz cans of diced tomatoes)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 whole roasting chicken

Directions

Place onion, raisins, garlic, sesame seeds, chipotle pepper, peanut butter and crushed tomatoes in large slow cooker. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, and cocoa powder. Place chicken breast side down on top of, not covered by, the other ingredients.

Cover; cook on high until chicken is done (use a meat thermometer) and tender, about 4-5 hours.

Remove chicken gently from slow cooker, trying not to lose the bones.

Use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth and creamy.

If the chicken is done enough you can basically peel off the skin and then carve it with a soup spoon. Put the meat back in the pot in large pieces without the bones and without the skin. Let it simmer while you make a pot of rice. Or shred it, add it back to the sauce and use for tacos.

It tastes even better the next day.

You may have more sauce than you need for the chicken. You can freeze it for the next time to put over leftover chicken. Or at this time of year, it would be good on leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

[wtg]

RED LENTIL DAL WITH AROMATICS
(Cindy simplified version)

1 c. lentils
1 large onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, sliced
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
Olive oil
1 tsp or more turmeric
1 15-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk minus cream (or low-fat version)
3 shallots, sliced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 bay leaves
1 tsp or more mustard seeds

Wash lentils. Saute onions, garlic, jalapeno in some olive oil for one minute. Add turmeric, lentils and about 2 c. water. Boil, then lower heat and simmer covered until lentils are soft, maybe 30 minutes. (Add more water if you need it -- the recipe calls for 3 cups but that is way too much).

Add coconut milk and simmer 5 minutes. Correct for salt.

Heat some olive oil in small skillet over high heat. Add shallots, red chile, bay and mustard seeds. Fry until mustard seeds begin to turn gray. Stir mixture into lentils and serve over rice.

[As with all vegetarian recipes, be prepared to increase the spices. Also, this recipe tastes like newspaper until you add the salt, so don't freak out. And don't oversalt!]

[wtg]

From AdagioM and this website: :

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a8893/carrot-and-squash-curry-soup/

Carrot and Squash Curry Soup

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 1 Hour Difficulty: Easy Servings: 8
Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Large Onion, Diced
• 3 whole Carrots, Washed And Sliced Thin
• 4 whole Yellow Squash (sliced)
• Salt To Taste
• 1 Tablespoon Curry Powder (more To Taste!)
• ½ cups Dry White Wine (optional)
• 48 ounces, fluid Chicken Broth
• Heavy Cream (optional)

Preparation Instructions

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onions and stir to coat. Add carrots and cook for 3 minutes, or until they start to get soft. Sprinkle in a little salt.

Add squash. Stir and cook for a few minutes, until squash is soft and tender. After a few minutes, add salt to taste and the curry powder.

Pour in wine if using. Let evaporate for about 30 seconds, then pour in chicken broth. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover pot, and cook for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, taste and adjust seasonings. Turn off heat.

Puree soup using an immersion blender, or in batches in a regular blender. Return to soup pot and bring to a simmer. Serve hot. If you’re feeling naughty, drizzle heavy cream over the top.

[wtg]

From wtg:

Cream of Leek and Mushroom Soup from More Fast Food My Way by Jacques Pepin.

I was extra lazy, so I used frozen leeks and low sodium chicken broth from Trader Joe's (could use a veggie broth for our vegetarian friends). With a crusty bread and salad, a really nice lunch or light supper. The potato flake thickener is inspired. There aren't a lot of mushrooms in the soup but they impart a very nice mushroomy flavor.

Cream of Leek and Mushroom Soup (4 servings - about 6 cups)

2 medium leeks
6 white mushrooms
2 tbsps peanut oil
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups water (I used 4 cups of stock instead of half water/half stock)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
1 1/2 cups whole milk, plus more if needed
Sprigs fresh chervil, for garnish (I used dried tarragon added towards the end)

Remove and discard most of the green outside leaves from the leeks, reserving the light green leaves from the center. Cut the leeks lengthwise into fourths and wash the leaves thoroughly under cool water to remove any dirt or sand. Slice thinly. You should have about 2 cups.

Wash the mushrooms. Slice them, stack the slices and either cut them into thin strips or chop them coarsely.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the leeks and mushrooms and cook, or "sweat", the vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken stock, water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle the potato flakes on top and mix them in with a whisk to prevent lumping. Bring to a boil. (The soup can be made to this point a few hours ahead. It will thicken a lot as it sits.)

At serving time, add the milk and return to a boil. If the soup is still too thick, stir in enough additional milk to thin it to your liking. Garnish with chervil sprigs and serve.

[wtg]

From AdagioM:

I just blogged this:

Caprese Cannellini Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (I used half regular and half white balsamic, but either is fine)
12 oz farfalle pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
8 ounces fresh Ciliegine (cherry size) mozzarella balls, cut into quarters
5 Roma tomatoes, cut into chunks, or 1 10 oz package cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1 15 oz can cannellini, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

In a large bowl combine pasta, mozzarella, tomatoes, beans, and basil. Drizzle with about half dressing and gently toss until thoroughly combined. Adjust seasonings as desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving toss with a little more dressing to refresh. Enjoy!

[wtg]

From wtg:

ATK Matzo Ball Soup

It is important to let the matzo mixture sit for 1 hour. If you try to form the balls without sufficient resting time, they will not hold their shape when cooked. Also, be gentle when shaping the balls; too much pressure will yield dense, rock-like matzo balls.

4 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 tablespoons chicken fat or vegetable oil
(WTG note: I always use the chicken fat, which I buy from a meat market that sells it frozen. sometimes my local upscale grocery carries it during the Jewish holidays, but not the rest of the year.)
(ATK note: For maximum flavor, we recommend making the matzo balls with chicken fat. When you make the chicken broth for this recipe, skim off some chicken fat and set it aside to cool. If you choose not to use chicken fat, vegetable oil will work fine, but the mb won't be as flavorful.)

1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch pepper

2/3 cup matzo meal (I use Manischewitz or Streit's. I prefer Manischewitz because it comes in a round container with a lid. I couldn't figure out how to open the d@mn box of Streit's and end up ripping it apart, a problem I posted about several years ago)

1 recipe Chicken Broth - 2 1/2 quarts plus 3 cups chicken meat (I make this soup with an ATK Turkey Broth that I whip up using the Thanksgiving carcass. I'll post that recipe and the ATK Chicken Broth recipe if anyone is interested.)

1. Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form, and set aside. Whisk the yolks, chicken fat, salt and pepper together in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the yolks into the whites using a rubber spatula. Fold in the matzo meal. Cover the mixture tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2. Bring broth to a simmer in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Use wet hands to roll 2 tablespoons of the matzo mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls, then drop them immediately into the simmering broth. (WTG note: I use my large OXO cookie dough scooper. It looks like a little ice cream scoop. It measures 2 tbsps and gives uniform mbs.) Cover the pot and simmer until the matzo balls have doubled in size, 20 to 25 minutes.

WTG note: If you have leftover soup and put it away in the frig overnight, you'll be amazed at how these puppies suck up most of the broth.

Chicken Broth from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

Makes 2 1/2 quarts broth and 3 cups meat
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes (includes 40 minutes simmering time)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 pounds chicken legs, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 onion, chopped medium
2 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt
2 bay leaves

1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until smoking. Brown half of the chicken on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken and transfer to the bowl. Pour off the fat from the pot. Return all the chicken to the pot and stir in the onion. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the chicken releases its juices, about 20 minutes.

2. Stir in the water, salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until the broth is rich and flavorful, about 20 minutes.

3. Strain the broth into a large container, and let stand for 10 minutes before skimming the fat. Remove the meat from the bones and reserve separately.

I make Turkey Broth whenever we have a roasted turkey. It's super easy. I'm including the recipe here in case you want to save the stuff from your Thanksgiving turkey, if you have one. You can always freeze the carcass if you don't want to cook it right away. Our family doesn't usually eat the wings, so those can go in the soup. There's no pre-browning of the turkey for the broth, because the bird has already been roasted. I think ATK assumes you've brined the bird because they don't add any salt to the pot.

It's important to always have the broth barely at the simmer rather than at a rolling boil. ATK had that tip in the cookbook, along with the admonition to skim at the beginning when the foam rises, rather than when the broth is finished. A rolling boil causes the fat droplets to get more finely dispersed in the soup, making for a greasy broth.

Turkey Broth

Makes about 3 quarts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including 2 hours simmer time)

It may seem self-evident, but it is certainly true that a turkey carcass with some meat still attached to the bones makes a more flavorful broth than one that's been picked clean.

1 turkey carcass, cut into 4 or 5 pieces
1 onion, chopped coarse
1 carrot, peeled and chopped coarse
1 rib celery, chopped coarse
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
3 quarts water

Bring all of the ingredients to a simmer in a large stockpot and cook for 2 hours, skimming off any fat or foam that rises to the surface. Strain the broth through a large mesh strainer into a large container, removing any fat that rises to the surface as it cools.

Turkey Noodle Soup

Serves 8 to 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total time 35 minutes plus time to make the turkey broth

1 recipe Turkey Broth
1 onion, minced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced thin
1 rib celery, sliced thin
Salt
8 ounces wide egg noodles (I just end up making the matzo balls and using them in this recipe in lieu of noodles. I cook the matzo balls for about 15 minutes, then add the veggies in step one for an additional 10 minute cook time)
2 cups cooked turkey meat, shredded
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1. Bring the broth to a simmer in large stockpot. Add the onion, carrots, celery and 1 teaspoon salt. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Add the noodles and turkey meat and continue to simmer until the noodles are just tender, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

[wtg]

From PianoAgain:

Cold-Curing Squash + Ginger Soup

I was fighting off a cold, and after eating this soup I felt much better. Mr. PA bought some roasted butternut squash from WF for a party and ended up bringing a few cups of it home, which inspired me to concoct this:

~3 T vegetable oil
1 chopped onion
1 diced sweet potato
1 large diced carrot
~2 c roasted butternut squash (I'm sure you could use raw chunks and it would work fine -- this stuff had a little cinnamon and oil on it)
~3 T grated ginger
6 cups water
1 tsp salt (or to taste)

In a large pot, sautee the onion in the oil until it is soft. Add the vegetables, ginger, and water, bring to boil, and reduce heat to a simmer for about an hour or until the vegetables are very soft. Puree (I do this in the pot with a stick blender attachment). Add salt to taste.

This had a very strong ginger effect, spicy and maybe too medicinal for some, but I liked it. It tasted even better the next day.

[wtg]

From RealPlayer:

RUM SQUASH PIE

I made this one year, and as a result everybody wants it EVERY year. I'll make it again next week.

from "The Tuesday Magazine Soul Food Cookbook," 1969.

Rum Squash Pie
(for 1 9-in. pie)

1 1/2 c. winter squash
1 cup sugar, scant
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 c. heavy cream
3 eggs
2 tbsp. rum
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. allspice
Pastry for 1-crust 9-inch pie

Pare and dice the squash. Cook it in a little water until soft (about 30 min.) Drain well and mash. Drain again if necessary. Measure 1 1/2 cups. Add the sugars and cream to the squash, and beat well. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. (Reserve a little egg white for brushing the pastry.) Stir in the run, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, cloves, and allspice. Mix well.

Preheat the oven to 450. Line a pie plate with pastry, building up the edge (see recipe for Pastry). Brush the pastry with egg white. Pour in the squash mixture, and bake at 450 for 10 minutes. Lower the heat to 300, and bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until firm.

PERSONAL NOTE: These days I pre-bake the whole squash, cut in half and cleaned out, in the oven till soft. Much easier than chopping it up and boiling and draining.

[wtg]

[from RealPlayer]

OK, this fairly simple recipe remains a HUGE hit in this household. Ingredients seem unlikely, but you really need to try it.

Notes: Olives are best if you get them at an Italian or Greek deli, although the canned variety work fine. And we have always used gruyere, no other type of cheese.

It's just delectable, and it requires forbearance to avoid stuffing your face until it's all gone.

From THE TASSAJARA RECIPE BOOK, 1985.

Chinese Cabbage Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette

For the salad:
1 small or 1/2 large Chinese cabbage (I believe they mean the Nappa variety)
1 to 1-1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, grated, or Monterey Jack, Gouda, or Edam
1/2 to 3/4 cup black olives, sliced

For the dressing:
2 tbsp. vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
2-3 cloves garlic, pressed
5/8 cup olive oil

Slice the cabbage into quarters and then into thin strips crosswise or at an angle crosswise.

Mix the cabbage with the grated cheese and sliced olives.

For the dressing, mix the vinegar together with the salt and garlic, then gradually whisk in the olive oil.

Toss the salad with the dressing. Depending on the amount of cabbage you use, you may not need all the dressing.

Taste for salt.

[Thread title credit: jon-nyc]

[wtg]

Spinach Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Spiced Chickpeas

Yield 4 servings

Time 1 hour
Ingredients

1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 large sweet potatoes (1 1/4 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots (1/2 pound), peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
Black pepper, as needed
2 thyme sprigs
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
5 ounces spinach (6 cups)
2 tablespoons thinly sliced shallot

Method

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with a clean dishtowel or several layers of paper towels and spread drained chickpeas evenly on top. Pat dry with another dishtowel or paper towels.
2. Toss sweet potato and carrots with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and top with thyme sprigs. Roast, tossing occasionally, until golden-brown and very tender, 40 to 50 minutes.
3. While vegetables are roasting, toss chickpeas with 2 tablespoons oil, chili powder, cumin and a large pinch of salt. Spread on another rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to the oven 10 minutes after you’ve put in the potatoes and carrots; roast until crisp and golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.
4. Using the flat side of a knife or a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic with a large pinch of salt until it forms a paste. Add it to a small bowl and whisk in yogurt and lemon juice. Slowly whisk in remaining 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) oil. Season with salt and pepper.
5. In a large bowl, combine spinach, roasted vegetables, chickpeas and shallot. Toss with enough dressing to lightly coat vegetables and greens and serve at once.

[wtg]

Here's a hearty autumn vegetarian stew with Indian overtones. It's my adaptation of a recipe from a magazine I picked up in a health food store years ago. It does have diced tomatoes in it, but it isn't a tomato-y sauce.

WTG's Hearty Autumn Vegetable Stew

1 tbsp oil
1 medium to large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 or 2 Serrano or jalapeno or Thai chili peppers, seeded and diced (optional, but nice to add if you like heat. Could probably use some cayenne in a pinch if you don't have fresh peppers)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (I've used 1/4 tsp powdered when I was out of fresh. Seems to work OK)
2 tsps garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp ground coriander
2 cups light chicken or vegetable stock
2-3 tablespoons finely shredded coconut (optional, but it does add a nice "something" that is hard to pin down)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups peeled diced sweet potatoes (1/2" dice)
2 cups cooked black beans
2 cups kale or spinach, chopped

1. Heat oil in large saucepan or dutch oven. Add onions, garlic and optional peppers with garam masala, cumin, cinnamon, salt, turmeric and coriander and saute for 10 minutes, stirring often. Add stock, tomatoes and sweet potatoes, cooking until sweet potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Mix in spinach or kale and black beans. Continue to cook until greens are tender, about 10 more minutes. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings.

3. Serve over hot basmati rice.

The original recipe called for adding fresh mint at the end, and it used pumpkin instead of sweet potatoes. Also used black-eyed peas instead of black beans. And it had you using a blender to puree the onions, peppers and garlic with the coconut and herbs (moistened with a few tablespoons of broth). I've done it that way, but I hate hauling out the blender for that step so I usually just saute everything as is.

By changing up the spices and the legume, I think this could be the base for a bunch of different stews. Maybe Mexican with a chili powder spice mix and pinto beans, and Mexican style rice on the side. Or Italian herbs with garbanzo beans over a risotto.

I cheat and use the canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh, and I also use canned beans rather than cooking them from scratch. All makes for a meal that can be prepared pretty quickly.

[wtg]

Here's a hearty autumn vegetarian stew with Indian overtones. It's my adaptation of a recipe from a magazine I picked up in a health food store years ago. It does have diced tomatoes in it, but it isn't a tomato-y sauce.

WTG's Hearty Autumn Vegetable Stew

1 tbsp oil
1 medium to large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 or 2 Serrano or jalapeno or Thai chili peppers, seeded and diced (optional, but nice to add if you like heat. Could probably use some cayenne in a pinch if you don't have fresh peppers)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced (I've used 1/4 tsp powdered when I was out of fresh. Seems to work OK)
2 tsps garam masala
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp ground coriander
2 cups light chicken or vegetable stock
2-3 tablespoons finely shredded coconut (optional, but it does add a nice "something" that is hard to pin down)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups peeled diced sweet potatoes (1/2" dice)
2 cups cooked black beans
2 cups kale or spinach, chopped

1. Heat oil in large saucepan or dutch oven. Add onions, garlic and optional peppers with garam masala, cumin, cinnamon, salt, turmeric and coriander and saute for 10 minutes, stirring often. Add stock, tomatoes and sweet potatoes, cooking until sweet potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Mix in spinach or kale and black beans. Continue to cook until greens are tender, about 10 more minutes. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings.

3. Serve over hot basmati rice.

The original recipe called for adding fresh mint at the end, and it used pumpkin instead of sweet potatoes. Also used black-eyed peas instead of black beans. And it had you using a blender to puree the onions, peppers and garlic with the coconut and herbs (moistened with a few tablespoons of broth). I've done it that way, but I hate hauling out the blender for that step so I usually just saute everything as is.

By changing up the spices and the legume, I think this could be the base for a bunch of different stews. Maybe Mexican with a chili powder spice mix and pinto beans, and Mexican style rice on the side. Or Italian herbs with garbanzo beans over a risotto.

I cheat and use the canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh, and I also use canned beans rather than cooking them from scratch. All makes for a meal that can be prepared pretty quickly.