Holy Frijole! Southwestern Stew

Courtesy of Gina Quaranta

Serves: 8Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 20 minutes

DAPHNE: Gina’s veggie-laden stew has helped her shed some unwanted pounds. It’s light on the hips, super easy to put together, loaded with flavor, chock-full of nutrients, and yet still hearty enough to feed a hungry crowd. It’s perfect for any weeknight meal. With one bite, you’ll be shouting, “Holy frijole, that’s a delicious stew!”

2–4 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound fresh chorizo, removed from casing

2 yellow onions, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

4 cups water, divided

15-ounce can whole kernel sweet corn, drained and rinsed

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

28-ounce can diced tomatoes

15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

6-ounce can tomato paste

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1 or 2 avocados, sliced and fanned, about 3 slices per bowl

1 cup tricolor tortilla strips, to garnish

1. Heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a stockpot.

2. Add the chorizo and cook until caramelized, about 8 minutes. While cooking, use a wooden spoon to break up the chorizo into small pieces.

3. Add onion, garlic, and peppers. Sauté for 3–5 minutes or until tender.

4. Stir in the 3 cups of the water, corn, sugar, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, and beans.

5. Combine last 1 cup of water with the tomato paste. Once incorporated, add to the pot with the mixture. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer for about 5–10 minutes.

6. Top with a couple tablespoons of cheddar cheese and a few slices of avocado. Finish with the tricolor tortilla strip chips on the outer edges of the bowl and serve immediately so that the chips do not lose their crunch!