Ingredients:

• 4 oz (112 g) aduki  beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 stick of celery, chopped
• 1 largish carrot, chopped
• 1 or 2 cloves of garlic, skinned and crushed
• 1 lb (450) tomatoes,  skinned and chopped or 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes in their juice
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1½ pints vegetable stock or water
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Soak the beans overnight covered in water and then drain well.
2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onion, celery and carrot and saute until softened.
3. Add the remaining ingredients including the stock/water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour.
4. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot.

Serves 4.  Dried beans are an excellent source of protein, iron and fibre and are inexpensive.