Sunday, January 6, 2008

Greens and Beans


This is an adults only favorite at our house, as the kids certainly don't want to eat fried lettuce, but I assure one and all that this is scrumptious Italian soul food that is good for every part of your body. Traditionally made with a bit of fried pancetta or bacon, we've just left that out of our recipe, but either way, it is molto delicioso.

Greens and Beans

2 heads escarole, washed very thoroughly in several changes of water
2 onions, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Olive oil
1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained

Heat about 2-3 Tbsp. olive oil in large frying pan. Add garlic and onions and saute, stirring, 2 minutes. Chop escarole roughly and add to pan with lots of water clinging to its leaves. The escarole will cook down quite a bit. Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes. Add beans and stir to heat through, 5 minutes.

Serve with plenty of grated Parmesan, fresh ground pepper and salt to taste. A few dried red pepper flakes perks things up nicely if you enjoy a little heat.

Serves five as a first course serving or makes 2 hearty dinner portions.

1 comment:

celticjig said...

I love beans and greens! I usually use swiss chard since that is what I have in the garden. With the warm weather we are having in MI, I saw a little swiss chard leaf popping up in the garden today, remnants of greens bygone.