Grilled Baby Artichoke Gigante Beans And Feta Salad Food

GIGANTE BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans in water overnight.
• Soooooooooooo...if you didn't think yesterday to soak your beans you can do the "quick soak" method, which is to put your beans in a pot covered by at least 2 inches of water. Bring the water to a boil, turn the heat off and let the pot sit until the water cools down naturally and then pick up the process 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 leaves and bacon skin. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer the beans 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 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 are cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Season the water generously with salt and let sit for 15 minutes. Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and serve. If not using the beans right away, store them in the refrigerator in their liquid.
• Beans, beans the musical fruit...

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH MIXED HERBS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the artichokes: Fill a large pot with cold water. Squeeze the lemons into the water, and then drop them into the pot. Add the olive oil and salt. Add the artichokes and cook until a paring knife inserted into the center meets with a little resistance, about 15 minutes. Drain and shock in cold water for 30 seconds. Drain again and transfer to a sheet lined with paper towels to dry.
• While the artichokes are cooking, make the vinaigrette: Whisk the mustard, honey, lemon zest and juice and some salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified.
• Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high. Halve the artichokes, brush with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with the vinaigrette, herbs and red pepper flakes.
• Serve with grilled Italian bread.

ARTICHOKE AND BEAN SALAD WITH TUNA

Steps:

• 1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss gently and refrigerate 45 minutes before serving.
• 2. Serve salad on a bed of mixed greens with crusty bread. Or alternatively, serve salad scooped onto a hero roll with arugula.

CARROT, DATE AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Thinly slice the carrots into ribbons using a vegetable peeler or mandolin, including any remaining "stubs" of carrot. Soak in ice water until the ribbons firm up and curl, about 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
• Whisk together the cilantro, olive oil, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the lime juice in a medium bowl. Add the carrots along with the feta cheese, almonds and dates, and toss until evenly combined. Serve immediately, or let the salad marinate a bit before serving.

SAUCY BEANS AND ARTICHOKE HEARTS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Heat onion and 1/2 cup oil (start from cold) in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 10-12 minutes. Add tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, 1 tsp. oregano, 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, and 2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and most of the liquid is evaporated, 15-20 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Working in batches and adding more oil if needed, cook artichokes cut sides down until deeply browned on cut sides, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to pot with sauce.
• Add beans to pot and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are heated through and flavors have melded, about 10 minutes. Taste, and add more salt if needed.
• Transfer bean mixture to a large serving bowl or dish. Top with feta, oregano, and red pepper flakes and drizzle with oil. Let sit at least 10 minutes for feta to soften before serving warm or at room temperature.

CRISPY GRILLED FETA WITH SAUCY BUTTER BEANS

Steps:

• Put a large ovenproof frying pan over a medium-high heat, and tip in the passata, butter beans, garlic, oregano, spinach and peppers. Stir together and cook for 6-8 mins until the sauce is bubbling and the spinach has wilted. Season, then add the lemon juice.
• Heat the grill to high. Scatter the feta over the sauce, so it's still exposed, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle over the lemon zest plus a pinch of oregano, then grind over some black pepper. Grill for 5-8 mins until the feta is golden and crisp at the edges.
• Meanwhile, toast the pittas under the grill or in the toaster, then serve with the beans and feta.