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.

BAKED GIANT WHITE BEANS WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, ovenproof casserole and add the onion and carrots. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the cabbage and half the garlic. Cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes, until the cabbage has wilted.
• Add the beans, water, bouquet garni and salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and place in the oven. Bake 1 hour and add the remaining garlic; taste and adjust salt. Return to the oven and bake for another 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the beans are very tender and creamy. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni. Stir in the chopped parsley. Serve hot or warm.

GIGANTE BEANS

Steps:

• Place beans in large bowl. Pour enough water over to cover beans by 3 inches; let soak overnight. Drain beans; set aside.
• Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until onions are golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Add beans, 8 cups chicken broth, tomatoes with juice, vinegar, ouzo, oregano, and crushed red pepper to pot; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until beans are tender, adding more broth by cupfuls to keep beans submerged and stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 hours, depending on freshness of beans. If necessary, uncover and cook beans until tomato mixture thickens and liquid is slightly reduced, 10 to 15 minutes. Season beans to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD: beans can be made up to 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm beans before continuing, adding more chicken broth by 1/2 cupfuls if beans are dry.
• Stir chopped fresh dill into beans. Serve with octopus .

MARINATED BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Drain beets, reserving 1/4 cup liquid, and slice into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slivers. Add onions and toss.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the sugar, mustard and reserved 1/4 cup liquid until dissolved. Add vinegar and bring to boil; remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Pour over the beet slices and onions, toss and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours. Remove from refrigerator and serve at room temperature.

GIGANTE BEANS

Steps:

• Using a strainer, rinse beans. Place rinsed beans in a medium bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight.
• Drain beans and rinse; put beans in a medium pot and cover with 6 inches of water. Add bay leaves and bring to a boil, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Season with salt and cook an additional 5 minutes. Drain beans and discard bay leaves.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, season with salt and pepper, and stir frequently until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, anise seed, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest and cook for 1 minute.
• Add beans and thyme to vegetables and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cool. Toss with parsley just before serving.

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.

BEET & WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare dressing: In small bowl combine cider vinegar, Dijon mustard and sugar. Gradually add olive oil until well blended. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare Salad: In large bowl combine beets and white kidney beans; toss with dressing.
• To serve, place arugula leaves on platter or in serving bowl; top with beet mixture. Sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese and walnuts.

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.