Description
A flavorful and hearty Spicy Harissa Bean Stew featuring tender butter beans simmered with harissa, baharat spices, fresh vegetables, and spinach, topped with creamy ricotta and fresh basil. This comforting stew is perfect for a warming meal that’s both nutritious and packed with bold, spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 red onion, roughly chopped
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 100g baby plum tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 120g spinach
- 15g basil, chopped
Spices & Flavorings
- 2 tbsp rose harissa
- 1 tsp baharat spice mix
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
Liquids
- 300ml vegetable stock (made with 1 low-sodium stock cube)
- Liquid from 500g jar or can butter beans
Protein & Dairy
- 500g jar or can butter beans
- 50g ricotta, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil and soften vegetables – Heat the vegetable oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over medium heat. Add the roughly chopped red onions and diced red pepper and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and turn golden at the edges.
- Cook the tomatoes – Add the baby plum tomatoes to the dish. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes blister.
- Add aromatics and spices – Stir in the roughly chopped garlic cloves, rose harissa, and baharat spice mix. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Simmer the stew base – Pour in the vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Add beans and finish cooking – Add the butter beans along with their can or jar liquid to the stew. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to warm through and allow the stew to thicken slightly.
- Add spinach and vinegar – Stir in the spinach and red wine vinegar, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Serve – Divide the stew between two bowls. Dollop ricotta on top of each serving, then sprinkle with chopped basil and add a twist of freshly ground black pepper. The stew can be kept chilled for up to one day.
Notes
- For a milder version, reduce the amount of rose harissa or substitute with a milder chili paste.
- You can substitute butter beans with cannellini beans or chickpeas if preferred.
- This stew can be made in advance and flavors will deepen after resting overnight.
- Serve with crusty bread or over cooked couscous or rice for a more filling meal.
- To make it vegan, omit the ricotta or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: harissa stew, butter beans recipe, spicy bean stew, vegetarian stew, Middle Eastern stew, easy stovetop stew
