This may sound high maintenance, but dried beans taste much better than canned beans. And this recipe requires them. I bought Rancho Gordo beans and had them shipped to me from California, and they are amazing. The shipping time took a bit of time, so if you can’t wait you can get any dried beans at the grocery store. I throw whatever I have in my fridge at the time (fresh herbs, parmesan rind, halved onions, garlic heads…) in the pan as they cook – it’s a very non-fussy recipe!
Lemony White Beans with Breadcrumbs
This may sound high maintenance, but dried beans taste much better than canned beans. And this recipe requires them. I bought Rancho Gordo beans and had them shipped to me from California, and they are amazing. The shipping time took a bit of time, so if you can't wait you can get any dried beans at the grocery store. I throw whatever I have in my fridge at the time (fresh herbs, parmesan rind, halved onions, garlic heads…) in the pan as they cook - it's a very non-fussy recipe!
Prep Time1 hr
Cook Time2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 4
- 1.5 cups dried beans of whichever variety you prefer (I love chickpea, marcella, and other large white beans)
- Fresh herbs (the sturdier herbs tend to work better - thyme, parsley, etc.)
- Small white or yellow onion, halved
- Half of a garlic head, outside shell removed
- Parmesan rind if you have one
- Half a lemon (with the skin and all)
- Olive oil or other fat you have on hand
- Breadcrumbs toasted on a pan with butter, Greek yogurt, and/or Dijon mustard to top
Let the beans soak overnight in the fridge
The next day, add more water (or stock) to cover the beans
Bring to a boil. Some foamy substance will likely form on top of your beans after boiling, this is normal. Remove the foam and reduce to simmer
Add a lot of olive oil (more than you think, you want to get a nice film of oil or fat on the top)
Put your "additives" to the pot (onion, garlic, parm, lemon)
Simmer on medium-low for up to ~2 hours, sating throughout the wayIMPORTANT: make sure you have enough water in the pot as you simmer - if it gets too low, just add more water and salt a bit Beans will be ready once they are al dente or to the consistency you prefer
Remove lemon half and stems of the herbs
Top with toasted breadcrumbs, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, or all of the above!
