To prepare a balkan vegetable stew beans and grains recipe, combine the following ingredients: 1 chopped onion, 2 chopped garlic cloves, 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook over medium-low heat until the onions are soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.