Garlicky White Beans Sage And Orecchiette Food

WHITE BEAN, TOMATO AND SAUSAGE ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orecchiette according to package instructions.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, until it starts to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the sausage to a bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving all the oil in the skillet.
• Add the onions to the oil and cook until they start to soften and turn translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to blister and split, about 4 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
• Add the beans and return the sausage to the skillet. Cook until warmed through. Add the pasta and toss until it is completely coated. Add the Parmesan in batches, stirring to incorporate and letting it melt before more is added. Stir in the basil.
• Plate the pasta and top with more Parmesan and basil. Serve immediately.

ORECCHIETTE WITH BROCCOLI AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Put the chickpeas in a bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and then drop in the broccoli and cook until tender but not too soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and refresh in cold water to set the color. Drain and set aside. If using broccoli rabe, chop coarsely. Then drop the orecchiette into the same boiling salted water.
• While the pasta cooks, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion, if using, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, if using, and chickpeas and cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, if using, and broccoli and cook until hot. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Drain the pasta when it is al dente and add it to the broccoli sauce, along with the toasted bread crumbs, if using. Warm through. Transfer to a warmed bowl and sprinkle with pecorino, if desired.
• Toasted Bread Crumbs: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a food processor, pulse 2 cups diced country-style bread, crusts removed, until you have coarse crumbs. Toss the crumbs in a bowl with 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, or olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Spread the crumbs on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 20 minutes. The crumbs can be stored in the pantry in a covered container for up to a month.

BAKED WHITE BEANS WITH SAGE AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 450 Whisk together broth and tomato paste in a small bowl,then in a large bowl, stir together broth and tomato mixture with the beans, garlic,sage (or poultry seasoning) and salt and pepper to taste.
• Put in a 1 1/2 qt baking dish.
• Toss bread cubes with olive oil, season to taste (used garlic powder, seasoning salt, fresh pepper) Sprinkle the bread cubes over the beans.
• ,Bake until bubbly and bread is golden brown.
• Can freeze leftover tomato paste by freezing in ice cube trays and after frozen sealing in ziploc bags or food saver bags.

WHITE BEAN, SAGE AND ROASTED GARLIC SPREAD

Steps:

• Boil the beans in a large pot with water to cover by 2 inches for 10 minutes.
• Lower the heat and add the 5 garlic cloves, sage leaves, bay leaves, and 2 teaspoons of olive oil.
• Simmer, covered until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove bay leaves and drain, reserving the broth.
• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Rub the head of garlic with a little of the remaining olive oil and put it in a small baking dish and add 1/3 cup water.
• Cover and bake until soft and lightly caramelized, about 45 minutes.
• Cool, then squeeze out the softened garlic.
• Puree the beans in a food processor with all the garlic, the remaining olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and enough bean broth to give the beans a soft, spreadable consistency.
• Season to taste with lemon juice and pepper and taste again for salt.
• Stir in thyme leaves and serve warm.

GARLICKY BEANS

Steps:

• Place beans in a large bowl; cover with water by several inches. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
• Preheat broiler. Drain and rinse beans. Transfer to a large pot; cover with 8 cups cold water. Place garlic cloves on a rimmed baking sheet and place under broiler, turning to charall over, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic, oil, and thyme to pot; season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until beans are just tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove and discard aromatics; serve. (Or let cool completely in broth, then store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 5 days.)