Beans and Veggies

Just threw this together today and it was really good.  I was hoping it would come out as a bean side dish but seems to be a bit more soupy... I'm thinking of throwing in some shredded chicken and calling it tomorrow's lunch.  Next time I'll add less water for more of the bean dish I was hoping for. 

Finely chop one carrot, one zucchini, half a red pepper (and I would add some onion but DH hates onion pieces).  Really, use whatever veggies you have on hand.  Saute in a tablespoon olive oil until very soft and picking up some color.  This takes awhile but is worth it.  Add about 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic, let cook for a few mins.  Add 1T tomato paste, mix and cook another few minutes.  Add 2c. water, one stock cube (I use knorr) but any bullion cubes or even chicken broth.  Add two cans rinsed white beans, pepper to taste, a couple shakes of italian seasoning and let cook for awhile.  The beans will start to break down and thicken the sauce but you don't want it complete mush.

It was really good and actually thickened up quite a bit as it cooled.  We had grilled chicken sausage and roasted asparagus with it and it was one of the best dinners we've had in awhile.