Bean stew with ham

Often during the week, I get home in the evening and I have neither the time nor the patience for complicated cooking. If I have a can of beans and a few slices of ham, I can quickly make a hearty meal. I prefer large red beans; they have a pleasant texture and don't break apart after a short boil with the vegetables. Everything is made in one pot, and the fried ham adds that satisfying touch without too much effort. When I need something quick and tasty, I rely on this simple recipe.

Quick Info

Total time: about 25-30 minutes
Servings: 2
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: quick main meal for busy days
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes (including frying the ham)

Ingredients

1 small can of beans (preferably red, large)
1 onion
1 red bell pepper
1 tomato
200 ml tomato juice
Salt, pepper to taste
Dried thyme, a pinch
4-6 slices of ham (Black Forest or other smoked ham)
2-3 tablespoons oil

Preparation method

1. Start with the vegetables. Peel, wash, and chop the onion and bell pepper. They don't have to be very uniform, but smaller pieces cook faster.
2. Put the oil in a large pot, preferably with a thicker bottom, and add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Meanwhile, peel the tomato: score it at the base and blanch it if you like, but you can also peel it with a knife. Cut it into small cubes and add it to the pot with the onion and bell pepper.
4. Let the vegetables sauté together for 2-3 minutes, just enough for the tomato to soften a bit.
5. Drain the liquid from the can of beans, then rinse the beans under cold water in a colander. This cleans them from the can's liquid and makes them tastier.
6. Add the drained beans to the vegetables and stir gently.
7. Pour the tomato juice over the mixture of vegetables and beans. Stir and let everything simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes. During this time, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add dried thyme.
8. Separately, in a non-stick pan, place the slices of ham. Fry them quickly on both sides until they develop a slight crust.
9. Serve the warm bean dish alongside the fried ham.

Why I make this recipe often

It’s quick to make, and the ingredients are almost always available at home. I use this version when I crave a hearty meal but don't have the time or energy to spend a long time in the kitchen. Plus, it fits any season.

Tips and variations

Tips

If the tomato juice is very acidic, add half a teaspoon of sugar. If fresh tomatoes are out of season, you can use only tomato juice, but the dish will be a bit more homogeneous. Don't leave the beans on the heat too long after adding them to the vegetables, or they will break apart.

Substitutions

Black Forest ham can be replaced with any smoked ham or bacon you have in the fridge. If you don't have bell peppers, a red bell pepper will work too. Red beans can be replaced with white beans if that's what you have.

Variations

You can add a bit of hot or sweet paprika to taste directly when sautéing the vegetables. For a meatless version, skip the ham and serve the dish plain, possibly with a side of red onion salad.

Serving ideas

It can also be served with fresh bread or pickles if you have them on hand.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use home-cooked beans instead of canned?
Yes, they just need to be cooked and drained. The cooking time with the vegetables remains the same.

2. Can the tomato juice be replaced with tomato paste or puree?
Tomato paste or diluted puree with a little water works too, but adjust the amount according to how acidic or concentrated you like it.

3. Can I omit the fresh tomato?
Yes, if you only have tomato juice, use 250 ml and skip the fresh tomato. The texture will be a bit smoother.

4. What type of ham works best?
Any thinly sliced smoked ham. It's important that it’s easy to fry and has a strong flavor.

5. Can I make the recipe for more people?
Yes, just double all the ingredients. A large can of beans usually covers 3-4 servings.

Nutritional values

The values below are approximate, for one serving (half of the above recipe):
Calories: 400-450 kcal
Protein: 18-20 g
Carbohydrates: 45-50 g
Fat: 15-18 g
These are estimates, depending on the type of beans and ham used. The dish is quite rich in protein, moderate in fat, with a good amount of carbohydrates from the beans.

Storage and reheating

If there are leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Reheat on low heat, possibly with 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent sticking. The fried ham should be made fresh before serving, otherwise it becomes tough when reheated.

 Ingredients: 1 small can of beans 1 onion 1 red bell pepper 1 tomato 200 ml tomato juice salt and pepper to taste a pinch of dried thyme 4-6 slices of Black Forest ham 2-3 tablespoons of oil

 Tags:  bean dish