Rita's Armenian Lupini Bean Stew

Picture this: a simmering pot filled with the rich aroma of tomatoes, eggplants, and the warm embrace of Mediterranean spices. Now, add the heartiness of SIMPLi's new Regenerative Organic Certified® Lupini Beans, available at your nearest Whole Foods Market. Our friend Rita of @saturdaytable has conjured up a recipe that's not only delicious but also an ode to both tradition and innovation.

Rita made a version of an Armenian eggplant stew that she’s been eating her whole life. The ingredients are very similar to Imam Bayildi, a Turkish stuffed eggplant dish, and it features eggplant, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and red pepper paste, which all cook down together into melty deliciousness.

Ingredients for the Lupini Beans

• 1 package of SIMPLi Lupini Beans

• 1 head of garlic, halved lengthwise

• 10 parsley stems

• 1 tbsp Aleppo pepper

• 1/4 cup SIMPLi Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 2 tsp SIMPLi Pink Salt

Instructions for the Lupini Beans

1. Start by soaking the lupini beans in 8 cups of water overnight.

2. Once they're plumped up and ready, drain and rinse them.

3. In a pot, add 8 cups of fresh water, along with garlic, parsley stems, Aleppo pepper, salt, and olive oil.

4. Bring this flavorful concoction to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook, uncovered, for about 1.5 hours until the beans achieve a delightful tenderness.

Ingredients for the Stew

• 1/4 cup SIMPLi Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1/2 red onion, sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 lb tomatoes, chopped

• 4 cups chopped eggplant (approximately 1/2 large eggplant)

• 2 tbsp red pepper paste

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 2 cups cooked SIMPLi Lupini Beans

• Parsley and pine nuts for garnish

Instructions for the Stew

1. In a pot over medium heat, let olive oil, onions, and garlic mingle and sizzle.

2. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions have softened and released their irresistible aroma (3-5 minutes).

3. Then, add the eggplant, tomatoes, salt, and red pepper paste.

4. Stir until this flavorful medley is well combined, and then cover.

5. Let it all simmer over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become irresistibly tender.

6. Finish it off with a dash of lemon juice and the star of the show, SIMPLi Lupini Beans.

Ingredients for the Garlic Yogurt

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 tsp SIMPLi Pink Salt

• 1 cup yogurt

Instructions for the Garlic Yogurt

1. For the finishing touch, let's not forget the creamy garlic yogurt. Mash the garlic and salt into a paste using a mortar and pestle.

2. Mix the paste into the yogurt until you have a luscious, garlicky blend.

To serve, create an inviting canvas on a large serving plate by swooshing the garlic yogurt. Then, ladle the stew on top, creating a picturesque scene. Garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of pine nuts.

This comforting meal is more than just food; it's a journey through Mediterranean flavors and a celebration of sustainability with SIMPLi regenerative lupini beans. So, dig in, savor, and enjoy the heartwarming goodness of this dish that's bound to become a staple in your kitchen!