Emeril Lagasses Tuscan Kale White Bean Ragout Food

TUSCAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Place the kidney beans in a medium pot, add water to cover by 2-inches and bring to a boil. (If using canned kidney beans, skip this step.) Turn the heat down, let simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until just-tender. Use the same process for the cannellini beans.
• In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta, rendering the fat and cooking until slightly crispy about 3 minutes. Saute the onion, celery, carrot and garlic for 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Add the diced tomatoes, the cooked and drained kidney beans, cannellini beans, chick peas, and the chicken stock. Using kitchen twine, tie the herbs and the bay leaf into a bundle and add to the pot. Season with the red chili flakes, salt and pepper. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, then add the kale. Continue cooking until the beans are completely tender.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Drizzle olive oil over the slices of peasant bread, season with a little salt and pepper and toast in the oven. Serve the soup in large bowls with grated Parmesan and a slice of toast.

EMERIL LAGASSE'S TUSCAN KALE & WHITE BEAN RAGOUT

Steps:

• 1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the bay leaf, garlic, crushed red pepper and red onion. Cook until the onion begins to wilt and the garlic begins to turn golden around the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the kale, salt and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes. Then add the white beans, tomatoes and stock. Cover and cook until the kale is wilted and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• 2. Transfer the ragout to a serving dish, and drizzle it with extra virgin olive oil to taste. Serve hot.

TUSCAN KALE AND WHITE BEAN STEW

Steps:

• Combine the vegetable base and 8 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, whisking to dissolve the base. Set aside.
• Place a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the butter substitute and olive oil and heat until melted. Add the carrots, celery and onions and season with salt and pepper. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Tie the thyme and rosemary into a bundle with kitchen string and add it to the pot along with the garlic. Cook for 1 minute more.
• 3. Add the beans and their liquid, the lemon zest and vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until the beans are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the kale, season with salt and pepper and simmer until the kale has wilted and softened a bit, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Divide the soup among bowls and drizzle with olive oil.

SOUTHERN COOKED GREENS

Steps:

• In a large pot, saute the bacon until slightly crisp. Add the onions and season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook 6 to 7 minutes, until the onions are wilted and golden. Add the brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the shallots and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the water and vinegar and mix well. Begin adding the greens, a third at a time, pressing them down as they begin to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, until the greens are soft, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve hot.