Description
A comforting white bean dish simmered with garlic, olive oil, and lemon, creating a flavorful and nutritious broth perfect for a simple dinner or alongside crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 1 cup dried white beans (navy, cannellini, great northern, or lima), soaked overnight
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 hunk parmesan rind (about 3 inches)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 thick slices of toasted bread
- Parmesan cheese, for grating
- Lemon slices, for finishing
- 1/4 cup minced parsley (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot or cast iron dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium low and add the shallots, garlic, and thyme. Sauté until translucent and aromatic, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add the soaked and drained white beans to the pot, stir to coat with the shallot mixture, and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken stock and add the parmesan rind, bring the pot to a low simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cover partially.
- Simmer the beans for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until they are tender and creamy, checking every 20 to 30 minutes and adding a splash of water or more stock if the liquid reduces too much.
- Remove the parmesan rind and any thyme stems. Taste and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- For a creamier pot, remove 1 to 2 cups of beans and broth, mash or puree them, and stir back into the pot, adjusting consistency with more broth if needed.
- Ladle the beans and broth into bowls, finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a generous squeeze of lemon, a shower of freshly grated parmesan, and a sprinkle of minced parsley if using.
- Serve each bowl with a thick slice of toasted bread for dipping, and pass extra lemon and parmesan at the table.
Notes
Use good-quality stock for maximum flavor. Soaking beans overnight enhances texture, but a quick soak or canned beans can be used if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 10mg