Step 1

Heat up the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and fry it gently (on a low heat) until almost translucent (for about 7 minutes), stirring from time to time.

Step 3

Add the chopped garlic. Keep on frying gently until the onion is translucent and the garlic softens completely and releases its beautiful aroma (approx. 5 minutes).

Step 4

Add a finely chopped Romano pepper and half a chopped fennel. Saute for a few minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir all the spices into the vegetables. Fry them off gently for a minute or two (stirring the whole time) as they tend to burn easily.

Step 6

Add tomatoes and two cans worth of liquid (water or veggie stock and if you have an opened bottle of dry white wine handy, replace some of the water with wine).

Step 7

Add finely diced (or blended with some of the sauce) fire-roasted peppers and dried thyme.

Step 8

Add salt and simmer, covered, so that the tomatoes have a chance to break down.

Step 9

Once the tomatoes are sufficiently broken down (depends on how chunky you like your sauce), take the lid off and simmer for a further 20-30 minutes for the stew to thicken and for the excess moisture to evaporate. Remember to give the stew a good stir from time to time.

Step 10

While the sauce is simmering, grill the extra fennel (if using). To do that, cut the fennel into same size wedges. Heat up a griddle pan and brush it with a little oil. Place the fennel wedges on a hot pan, cut side down, and grill them until you get nice char marks on both sides. Set aside to add to the stew at the end.

Step 11

Heat up 1 tsp of olive oil in a very small pan. Once hot, add pepitas, toss them in the oil and allow them to roast (stirring the whole time). Take them off the heat once lightly browned, fragrant and crackling. Toss some salt through them - I like to use garlic salt.

Step 12

Once the sauce thickens, taste it and season with a generous amount of black pepper and more salt if needed. Romano / Ramiro peppers add sweetness to the sauce so you are unlikely to need sugar, but if you feel that the sauce is still too tangy, add a teaspoon of sugar or date syrup. If you find the sauce too sweet, on the other hand, add a squeeze of lemon juice.

Step 13

Finally, stir in the drained cannellini beans and let them warm through. Add the olives and grilled fennel just before serving.

Step 14

Decorate with fresh parsley (or thyme) and salt-roasted pepitas. Serve with rice, quinoa or couscous.