Braised String Beans And Chickpeas Food

HARISSA-BRAISED CHICKPEAS WITH FETA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the harissa, anchovy paste and garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half. Add the chickpeas, thyme, remaining 1/2 cup olive oil, about 1/4 teaspoon pepper and a few good pinches of salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chickpeas are very soft, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the lemon halves cut-side down until they get some nice brown marks on them.
• When the chickpeas are ready, squeeze in the juice from the grilled lemon halves. Discard the thyme sprigs. Place a dollop of yogurt in each serving bowl, then use a slotted spoon to scatter some of the chickpeas on top. Add some crumbled feta, a handful of herbs and a bunch of turns of pepper to each bowl. Serve with crusty bread.

CREAMY BRAISED WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, cut side down, and cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the milk, chickpeas and their liquid, white beans, thyme and nutmeg and stir to combine. Season generously with salt and pepper. When the mixture begins to bubble around the edges of the pan (you don't want it to come to a full boil), reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened and tastes great to you, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Use a fork to remove the garlic halves from the beans. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then use the fork to remove the cloves from the skins. Spread the cloves on bread or toast.
• If you would like the beans to be more stew-like, mash some of the beans using a potato masher or the back of a spoon. Serve beans and milk in bowls. Garnish as you wish, with a drizzle of oil, a sprinkle of Parmesan and a pinch of Aleppo pepper and black pepper. Serve with the bread alongside for dipping.

BRAISED CHICKPEAS WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 10 to 12 minutes. (Alternatively, you can work in a non-ovenproof pot and transfer your mixture to a baking dish when it's time to move it to the oven.)
• Add the cayenne, a few turns of pepper and the garlic to the pot and cook another minute, until fragrant. Add the wine and cook until it's reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the squash, tomatoes, broth, chickpeas, rosemary and bay leaves; give everything a stir.
• Cover the pot, transfer to the oven and braise until the chickpeas are soft and the squash is tender, about 2 hours. Discard the bay leaves and rosemary sprigs before serving. Top with parsley, serve with bread and enjoy!

BACON BRAISED STRING BEANS

Steps:

• Coat a large straight sided skillet lightly with olive oil. Add the bacon, garlic and red pepper flakes and bring to a medium heat. Cook until the bacon has gotten brown and crispy and has let off most of the fat. When the garlic becomes golden brown and very aromatic, remove and discard. They have fulfilled their garlic destiny.
• Add the mushrooms to the bacon pan, season with salt, to taste, and cook until they become soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the beans and the chicken stock, season with salt, to taste, cover and cook over medium-low heat for 40 to 45 minutes. If the liquid reduces too much during the cooking time, add water to make up the difference. Remove the lid and cook until almost all of the liquid is reduced. When done the beans should be very tender, almost falling apart and VERY flavorful. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
• What a bean!