Marinated Giant White Beans And Beets Food

MARINATED GIANT WHITE BEANS AND BEETS

Steps:

• Place the beans in a large pot. Cover by 2 inches with water, and bring to a gentle boil. Skim off any foam, and add the onion, garlic and bay leaf. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add salt to taste, and simmer an additional 20 minutes until just tender. Remove from the heat. Remove and discard the onion, garlic cloves and the bay leaf. Allow the beans to cool in the liquid, then drain through a strainer set over a bowl. Gently toss the beans in a bowl with the lemon juice, olive oil, celery, peppers, onion and herbs. If desired, add 2 to 4 tablespoons of the bean broth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Cook the beets while the beans are cooking. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, add 1/4 cup of the vinegar and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender, 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the beets. Remove from the heat, add the garlic to the pot and set aside to cool. Remove the beets from the pot (do not drain), slip off the skins and cut in wedges.
• Combine the remaining vinegar, the sugar and 1/4 cup of the beet broth (discard the garlic). Toss with the beets. Arrange the beans on a plate or in a bowl and surround with the beets. If you wish, serve this dish with skordalia.

MARINATED WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Combine the garlic and olive oil in a small skillet and set over low heat. Cook until the garlic begins to slowly sizzle, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes (don't let the garlic brown as it will become bitter). Increase the heat to medium and add the capers, lemon zest, rosemary, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and return to a sizzle. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
• Combine the beans, tomato and parsley in a medium serving bowl. Drizzle the warm garlic oil over and toss well. Season with salt as desired.

WHITE BEANS WITH BEETS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the beans through the garlic. In a small bowl, combine the oil through the salt. Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss to combine. Divide among 4 small plates and garnish with beet wedges.