Cannellini Bean Food

CANNELLINI BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl filled with water.
• *Soooooooooooo...if you didn't think yesterday to soak your beans you can do the "quick soak" method. Put the beans in a large pot and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Bring the beans to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat off and let the pot sit until the water cools down, then proceed as if you had soaked the beans overnight.
• Strain the beans from the soaking water. Put the beans in a large pot and cover generously with water. Add the onions, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, bay and slab bacon Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until all the beans are soft, about 1 hour. Add more water if it reduces too much. Test the beans for doneness by doing the 5 bean test. Bite into 5 beans, if they are all soft then they are done. Beans do not all cook at the same rate so the 5 bean test is important.
• When the beans pass the 5 bean test, remove the pot from the heat. Season the water generously with salt and let sit for 15 minutes. If using the beans right away, go ahead. If not using the beans right away, store them covered, in the refrigerator in their liquid.
• Beans, beans the musical fruit...

CANNELLINI (WHITE BEAN) VEGGIE BURGERS

Steps:

• Rinse and drain the can of white kidney beans, or if you prefer to use dried beans, cook 2/3 dry cup of them ahead of time. Use 1 whole egg, or separate two eggs, discarding the yolks.
• Put everything on the list into your food processor and chop until you reach the desired consistency-- a total puree, or a rougher chop that still has some whole pieces of beans in there.
• Scoop the mixture into a bowl and refridgerate for 20-30 minutes, it's okay if it stays in longer.
• Form patties with your hands, you'll get 4 large ones or 6 smaller ones (which I prefer because I eat them on English muffins.).
• Heat some olive oil on a frying pan, adding more as needed (mine tends to evaporate after a few minutes) to cook each patty for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
• Serve on your favorite buns/breads with the fixings you like. I particularly like these with ketchup or marinara sauce.

CANNELLINI BEAN SAUTE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic, and cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add beans, lemon juice, salt, pepper, italian seasonings, and a splash of white wine, and cook, stirring until softened and warmed through and liquid has reduced, about 3 minutes.
• Serve warm with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

CANNELLINI BEAN HUMMUS

Steps:

• Combine the beans, lemon juice, garlic and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the oil and puree until smooth, about 30 seconds. Transfer the hummus to a bowl. Drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with the basil if using.