Autumn Beans Food

AUTUMN HARVEST SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy bottomed soup pot and saute bacon for 3 minutes.
• Pour off any excess fat.
• Add onions and garlic continuing to cook until onions are softened.
• Add leeks, celery, carrots, butternut squash and soaked white beans along with thyme and rosemary.
• Saute for 2 more minutes. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Turn down heat and simmer slowly for 1 1/2 hour or until beans are tender.
• Adjust final seasoning.

AUTUMN VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• For the sauce: Stir together the stock, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch and pepper in a small bowl, making sure the cornstarch is dissolved well. Set aside.
• For the vegetable stir-fry: Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium-high to high heat. Swirl in
• the oil to coat the bottom. When you see wisps of white smoke, add the tofu and stir-fry until light brown on the edges, about 2 minutes. Then add the ginger and stir-fry it until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, carrots, cabbage and snow peas and keep them moving while searing. Don't be scared to scrape the pan and fold the vegetables over many times. Cook until the Napa cabbage gets bright green and starts to soften, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in the sauce, coat all the vegetables and tofu and bring the sauce to a boil. The cornstarch will thicken into a glaze, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

AUTUMN BEANS

Steps:

• In a skillet, lightly fry bacon. Remove to paper towel to drain. Set aside 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute onion in the drippings until tender. , Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

THE ONCE AND FUTURE BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Soak beans in a plastic container overnight in just enough cold water to submerge them completely.
• Place a cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat and stir in the bacon, onion, and jalapenos until enough fat has rendered from the bacon to soften the onions, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, dark brown sugar, and molasses.
• Drain the beans and reserve the soaking liquid. Add the drained beans to the Dutch oven. Place the soaking liquid in a measuring cup and add enough vegetable broth to equal 4 cups of liquid. Add the liquid to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Add in cayenne, black pepper and salt. Give them a stir and cover with the lid. Place the Dutch oven in the oven for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender.

FLAGEOLETS WITH AUTUMN GREENS AND FRESH BACON

Steps:

• Pack the fresh bacon in the salt and sugar mixture, cover, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Rinse and pat dry, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Combine the bacon, beans, carrot, onion, garlic, apricots, bay leaves, and chile in a pressure cooker and add cold water to come an inch above the beans. Fit the pressure cooker with the lid and raise the temperature to high until it starts to whistle. Reduce to the lowest setting and cook until the beans are creamy and cooked through, roughly 25 minutes. Remove the lid and adjust the seasoning with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Alternately, bring the ingredients to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, covered, until the beans are thoroughly cooked through and creamy, roughly 1 3/4 hours.
• Remove the large aromatic vegetables, garlic, chile, and bay leaves from the pot and discard. They've done their flavoring job. Coarsely chop the greens or tear with your hands, then fold them into the beans. Simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the greens are tender.
• Serve with warm crusty bread and a healthy dose of olive oil.