White Beans With Celery Food

QUICK WHITE BEAN AND CELERY RAGOUT

Steps:

• Combine the stock, oil, celery, zucchini and scallions in a large, deep skillet; season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, adding the beans halfway through, about 10 minutes total. If you'd like to make it brothier, add 1/3 cup vegetable stock and warm for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide among shallow bowls. Top with a dollop of crème fraîche, drizzle with pesto and top with celery leaves. Serve with couscous or grilled bread.

WHITE BEANS WITH CELERY

Steps:

• Drain the beans, and combine in a large saucepan with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, add salt to taste, cover and simmer until the beans are just tender, about 45 minutes to an hour. Do not let the beans boil hard or they'll fall apart before they're cooked through.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet, and add the celery and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until it just begins to soften, about three minutes, and add the garlic. Stir together for a minute, until the garlic is fragrant, and remove from the heat.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Drain the beans over a bowl. Place in a large baking dish, preferably earthenware, and toss with the celery and garlic, the remaining olive oil and the tomato sauce or diluted tomato paste. Add enough of the drained broth to cover by an inch, and stir in the remaining olive oil. Cover the dish tightly with foil, and place in the oven. Bake one hour, or until the beans are soft and creamy.
• Uncover the beans, stir, and add salt and pepper to taste. Add a tablespoon or 2 of lemon juice, or more if desired, and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm or room temperature, with a little more olive oil drizzled over the top if desired.

CELERY WITH CREAMY WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until very soft, but not brown, about 10 minutes. Add the beans and 1/4 cup reserved liquid from the can and season well with salt and pepper. Raise heat to medium-high and continue cooking until beans begin to break down, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly and transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree, drizzling in more reserved liquid, if needed, until it is the consistency of thick hummus. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Transfer to a wide, tall glass and drizzle with additional basil oil before serving.
• To serve, stand the celery stalks upright in the dip. (Choose a container that's small enough with high sides to allow the celery to stand upright).

PASTA SALAD WITH TUNA, CELERY, WHITE BEANS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the tuna, celery, white beans and olives to the bowl with the pasta.
• Make the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, herbs, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Pour over the pasta salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Chill for up to 3 hours.

WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat combine the oil, onions and celery.
• Cook, stirring for 5 minutes.
• Push onions and celery to the sides, turn the heat up to medium high and add the chicken.
• Cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes.
• Add the garlic, jalapenos, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne.
• Cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
• Stir in stock and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir in beans and cook for 5 minutes, stirring gently.
• Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.
• Ladle into bowls and top with cheese.