Country French White Beans Food

FRENCH BOILED WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Sort through beans, picking out any extraneous materials. Cover beans with hot water and soak overnight. Rinse and drain beans and place in a 4-quart pot.
• Add chicken broth, shallots, bay leaf, thyme, parsley and carrots.
• Cover and bring to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer for 2 1/2 hours or until beans have a creamy texture when bitten; stir occasionally.
• Discard parsley and salt to taste.
• Prep time does not include over night soak.

COUNTRY FRENCH WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Place beans in large bowl. Add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let soak overnight, at least 10 hours.
• Drain beans. Mix beans and remaining ingredients except bell peppers in 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on high heat setting 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours or until beans are tender.
• Stir bell peppers into beans in cooker.

FRENCH WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over moderate heat.
• Add the onion, fennel, carrots, salt and pepper. Saute for 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, stock, basil, and fennel seeds and bring to a boil. Cover, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the cannellini and simmer 3 minutes longer until heated through.
• Meanwhile, if using the pesto, combine the garlic, basil, parsley, cheese, and oil in a small bowl and with the back of a spoon, mash the mixture into a paste.
• Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each one with a dollop of the pesto.