White Beans With Celery Food

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.

STEWED WHITE BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Soak beans in water overnight. Drain, and transfer to a large pot. Cover beans with 4 inches water. Add the intact half of the onion, the carrot, celery, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until beans are tender but not bursting, about 1 hour. Drain, and remove onion, carrot, celery, and bay leaf; discard.
• Pulse tomatoes, with juice, in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Heat oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, the garlic, and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion and garlic are tender but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and rosemary. Bring to a boil.
• Add beans, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomato sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm, and drizzle with oil just before serving.

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).

WHITE BEAN CHOWDER

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic until onion is softened.
• Add one can of beans and mash roughly.
• Stir in remaining can of beans, green chilies, corn, carrots, celery, and broth.
• Bring soup to a simmer and stir in the cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Combine milk and cornstarch, stirring well.
• Stir the milk mixture into the soup, bringing it gradually to a boil.
• Reduce heat and allow soup to simmer until veggies are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir frequently.
• Stir in 3/4 c of the cheese, reserving the remainder for use as garnish, and remove from heat.
• Serve garnished with cheese and cilantro.
• Note: I usually serve with some hot sauce on the table for those who like to add some heat.

SHRIMP, CELERY, AND WHITE-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Toss shrimp with garlic, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over high heat until it shimmers, then sauté shrimp, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, toss together beans, celery, arugula, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a bowl.
• Add shrimp with any juices and toss.

WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Put cauliflower on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast on the top rack until nicely browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Make the dressing: Put shallot in a small bowl with mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar and ground fennel, if using. Stir well to combine, then whisk in olive oil. Season to taste.
• Make the salad: Put beans in a low salad bowl. Add celery and cauliflower, pour the dressing over and toss well, taking care not to crush beans. Let salad rest for 30 minutes or so to meld flavors. Taste and adjust for salt, acid and oil. Add parsley and scallions, toss once more, then serve at room temperature.