Watercress Pesto With White Beans Food

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.

CARBONARA BEANS

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the beans, cover and let cook until the beans are just heated through, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the beans sit in the hot water while the bacon cooks (you want the beans to be very hot when adding to the egg mixture). Stir the egg yolks and Parmesan in a medium bowl until no lumps remain; set aside.
• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until softened and very fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat and return the skillet to the stovetop. Reserve 1 cup of the bean water, drain the beans and then add them to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, to coat with the bacon fat, about 1 minute.
• Ladle 1/2 cup of the reserved bean water into the egg mixture, whisking constantly so the eggs do not cook but are heated. Pour into the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted, the sauce begins to thicken and the beans are evenly coated, about 1 minute (if the beans look dry, add more bean water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency has been reached). Fold in the parsley and season with a generous amount of pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with more Parmesan and parsley.

ARTICHOKE & BROAD BEAN TART WITH WATERCRESS PESTO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Roll out the pastry and line a 28cm tart tin. Chill for 30 mins. Meanwhile, make the pesto. Place the watercress, pine nuts, Parmesan, olive oil and lemon juice in a food processer and blitz to a thick sauce. Season to taste and set aside.
• Cook the broad beans for 1 min in a pan of boiling water. Drain and refresh under cold water, then peel off the outer layer. Place the peeled beans to one side.
• Line the tart with greaseproof paper and fill with baking beans. Bake for 10 mins, remove the paper and beans and cook for 15 mins more until light golden. Remove from the oven and reduce temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Set aside the pastry while you make the filling.
• Mix the ricotta and crème fraîche with the beaten eggs. Stir in the cheese and lemon zest, then fold in the broad beans, taking care not to break or crush. Spread over the tart case, then place artichoke hearts on top. Bake for 30-40 mins, remove and serve warm with the watercress pesto.