I need a REALLY EASY combination of spices for a bean casserole to throw in a slow cooker

[LaurieFairyCake]

I use a ratatouille frozen mix/chopped tomatoes/4 different beans and chick peas

Now I need a spice/herb/flavour mix - it can't be chilli as husband hates spicy food - I always add a tiny bit of crushed chillis to mine when I serve it

It needs to be easy - I would prefer a mix I could buy so I could just throw it in

So far I've just been putting in mixed herbs and very mild chilli and oregano and making it interesting with cheese on the top

But it's so boring

I don't know about bought mixes, sorry. But with chick peas I would go cumin and dried coriander. Fresh or powdered garlic. Maybe a little ginger. Then fresh parsley or coriander chopped over before serving.

Try smoked paprika.

I agree cumin coriander and smoky paprika. Do your own and it costs about 10% of pre mix packets

id use smoked paprika, ground coriander and cumin. And put loads of cheese when I ate it and sour cream. And fru up some garlic and onions to add the ratatouille mi.

there’s a very good black bean chilli recipe on good food website. Just leave out the chilli,

I often do chicken drumsticks, onion, carrot and beans with lots of turmeric. I don’t think it would work with tomatoes but maybe something for the future.
Also ras el hangout has chilli in it but it’s not very spicy if you put just a bit but still aromatic

Smoked sweet (not hot) paprika with cumin and garlic powder. that's a really nice blend.

Dry fry your cumin seeds before adding them, and be generous with them. A pinch of cinnamon is great in chilli.

Tagine paste https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/belazu-tagine-paste/476416-702567-702568

Definitely the smoked paprika, I'd probably just use that and some bay leaves. And maybe add tomato purée too.

Then I'd add chipotle Tabasco to mine after serving for a bit of heat.

Love the spice ideas

The only thing I can't do is fry anything (garlic/onions/spices) beforehand as it smells and I see clients at home)

The good thing about the slow cooker is nothing smells until the end of the working day

For a bean chilli, I use:
2 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp cayenne pepper or chilli powder but you can omit this or just add a pinch.

I usually add a tbsp honey to balance the tomatoes. And add coriander, lime and chilli oil to my own dish when serving.

Onions and garlic would make a massive difference. You can fry up in advance…night before…with windows open or fry and freeze.

For what you've described, I'd do a bit of ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika and garlic (fresh or granules). I'd also add a bit of sugar as tomatoes are acidic and need something a bit sweet to balance out the acidity. The exact mixture is a bit to taste, but I'd lean more on the paprika and garlic.

Add some cubes of frozen garlic, I never bother frying them for my bean stews like this.

Savoury, the herb, is nice with beans, also celery seed, dill, aniseed for a German inspired flavour twist, I usually do that with lentils, but should work for beans.

Adding some tomato paste would also add some richness too, or Vegemite/marmite, spoonful of blackstrap molasses, these are all things I do to add flavour to vegetarian dishes.