Turnip and Bean Stew (I need a better name for this recipe!)

This recipe is a K-Iz original. I had been craving some fast food - either pad Thai or a footlong sub. and I was desperately trying to talk myself out of it (for financial and dietary reasons!). I got home and took a good look at what I had on hand. A half of a turnip, red onion, celery, carrots, garlic... Homemade veggie broth, canned tomatoes. Sounds like a delicious stew to me!! So off I went.

Ingredients:

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 turnip, cubed into 1cm pieces

1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups broth (I used homemade veggie broth)

2 cans of diced tomatoes

2 bay leaves

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Saute the celery, onions, carrots, and garlic on medium heat until onions are transparent.
2. Add the chick peas, black beans, and turnips. Stir well and let cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add in the broth and tomatoes. Stir well.
4. Add bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for about an hour, or until turnips are tender.
6. Test for spice levels and re-season if necessary!

This was a delicious, fast, and easy meal for me to make, and it was so hearty that it curbed my craving for icky fast foods! It would have been good with any other combination of veggies, maybe some cauliflower would've been nice too.