Last night, while watching Hollywood Week on American Idol, I whipped up a batch of my best White Bean Stew. Just as Casey Abrams’ was up at the mike, singing and a strumming “Georgia On My Mind,” I was dishing ‘it’ out. It was extraordinary! The stew, the salad and Casey Abrams. American Idol White Bean Stew Ingredients: 2 cups of cannellini beans a.k.a. white beans, rinsed, soaked overnight and drained (it’s really worth the effort – and you’ll feel so accomplished in the morning)6 cups of water (8 ounce cups)2 bay leafs 3 tablespoons virgin olive oil1 medium yellow onion, chopped3 medium carrots, washed and chopped (some people peel ’em – but I like the skin)6 gloves garlic, chopped1 tablespoon, fresh rosemary chopped1 1/2 cups of organic vegetable stocksalt n’ pepper to tasteInstructions: In a big pot, over a high heat, combine the white beans, water, a shake of salt and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Partially cover, allowing some heat and steam to escape, until the beans are tender (which is somewhere in the 1 hour range). Drain the beans, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss the bay leaves.In a small bowl, combine the reserved cooking liquid and 1/2 cup of cooked beans. Mash ’em up; make paste! And then stir back in with the beans. Return the pot to the stove and add olive oil. Over medium heat, stir in olive oil, carrots, and saute the whole deal until softened – but not soft and definitely not mushy. Heat over medium heat. Next up, the garlic. Toss it in, and then stir in the salt, pepper and rosemary. Bring it to a boil; reduce the heat to slow and simmer until heated through n’ through.Serve with salad. Jazz it up with Casey Abrams!Spread the word … NOT the icing!Janice Taylorwise * fun * utterly usefulFor the best in wellness and weight loss wisdom, visit Janice:www.OurLadyofWeightLoss.comwww.VirtualShoulder.comJoin Janice’s Kick in the Tush Club!Interested in Life and Wellness Coaching? Write Janice for F*ree Consult (janice [at] ourladyofweightloss.com]

Follow Janice on Twitter and Facebook!