This flavorful potato, bean, and mushroom stew is ready in less than an hour. You can use other beans, such as black-eyed peas, in place of the navy beans; kale or Swiss chard would be nice substitutions for the spinach leaves.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 as a main course

　　1 tablespoon olive oil

　　1 small onion, finely chopped

　　4 small red potatoes (10 ounces), scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

　　1 pound white mushrooms, trimmed and quartered

　　1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

　　Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

　　1 tablespoon tomato paste

　　2 cups water

　　1 package (10 ounces) baby spinach

　　1 can (15 1/2 ounces) navy beans, drained and rinsed

　　1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar (optional)

　　

Step 1

In a large, deep skillet (or pot), heat oil over medium. Add onion and potatoes; cook until onion is lightly browned, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Add mushrooms and thyme; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Stir in tomato paste and the water; cover, and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife but not falling apart, 8 to 10 minutes.

　　

Step 3

Add half the spinach; cover, and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Add remaining spinach and the beans; cook, covered, until heated through. Stir in the vinegar, if desired. Season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. To serve, ladle stew into bowls.

　　

Using Dried Beans

Step 4

If you have a little more time, you could soak and cook dried beans, which would make the soup even more economical and a bit richer in flavor and texture. See page 365 for the instructions.

　　Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.