Braised White Beans And Greens With Parmesan Food

BRAISED WHITE BEANS AND GREENS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the fennel, onion and rosemary, and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Begin adding handfuls of the greens, cooking and stirring until leaves wilt.
• Add the white beans, broth and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer, mashing some of the beans with a wooden spoon, until the liquid has reduced and thickened, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, then the mozzarella, if using, and Pecorino Romano. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Divide among shallow bowls and top with more Pecorino Romano. Serve with toasted bread and a dish of red-pepper flakes on the side.

WHITE BEANS AND GREENS

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and chop when cool enough to handle.
• Add tomatoes, onion, and garlic to the bacon fat. Cook over medium-high until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add Swiss chard and chicken stock, cover, and steam until chard is tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add beans and chopped bacon. Cook until liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

BRAISED WHITE BEANS AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Soak the beans, uncovered, in a large bowl of cold water for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight. Drain and set aside.
• Arrange a rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 225°F.
• Trim the leeks discarding the tough green tops, halve vertically, and rinse in cold water, making sure to clean out any dirt trapped between the layers. Slice into thin half circles. In a Dutch oven or ovenproof casserole over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the celery, garlic, and leeks and cook until the vegetables are softened, 3-5 minutes.
• Add the beans, thyme, herbs de Provence, red pepper flakes to taste, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and a generous amount of black pepper. Stir in the vegetables broth and 1/2 cup water and bring the mixture back up to a gentle boil. Cover the pot with an ovenproof lid or cover tightly with foil. Place in the oven and cook, checking occasionally to make sure the pot is never dry, until the beans are soft throughout but not falling apart, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. If the pot seems dry, add water in 1/2 cup increments and stir once or twice. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if necessary.
• Remove the pot from the oven and turn the temperature to 500°F Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan on top of the bean mixture and put the pot back in the oven, leaving the lid off. Cook until the cheese is completely melted and brown in spots, 8-10 minutes. Serve hot.

BALSAMIC-PARMESAN GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Steam green beans until tender-crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and drain. Meanwhile, mix bouillon and water; stir to blend. Heat small heavy-bottomed skillet (I use cast iron). Pour in bouillon mixture, Balsamic, and garlic salt. Blend. When bubbling, add green beans and cook until liquid is absorbed and beans have a nice nut brown glaze, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.