Braised White Beans and Greens With Parmesan Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

dee

Discarding those stalks from the chard is such a miss. Think of chard as two vegetables in one - the stalk and the leaf. Cut them out {fold the leaf in half lengthwise and cut along the length of stalk to free the stalk from the leaf} and dice the stalks, then add to the onions and fennel to sauté.

Sarah

Celery or leeks are a good sub for fennel and given the way this recipe is made I'd go with leeks for a more mild flavor profile. Celery is better as a substitute for raw fennel.

Josh

Gosh. This is about the most delicious bean dish I've made. No: it's the most delicious using canned beans. Living alone I need a few ways to use up leftovers so here are my plans: 1) add more stock and turn into soup, 2) drain some in a sieve overnight in fridge and smash into a ciabatta bun for lunch, 3) reheat and serve with a poached egg and baguette toast points.

greta

It’s not a NYT recipe until there are hundreds of readers posting their spin on it, but here I am..! Just had to mention how easy and efficient this meal was. Had almost every single ingredient chilling in the refrigerator (post-galentine’s day) - ALL I had to pay was 55p for a baguette! Added (here we go..) some bacon for a fat/protein element and went easy on the seasoning and cheese. The lemon juice tied it all together. Yet another go to recipe in my NYT archives.

Dan Findlay

Don't be afraid to use other greens; dandelion, turnip, beet, collard, arugula, and foraged wild greens (Lamb's quarters, purslane, sorrel, chickweed, etc.) in the spring. This recipe is descended from "la cucina povera," the no-waste, make use of limited resources, use what you have on hand, "poor cooking."

Chefkreidler

I've been making this dish for 30 years. I like to add a little Arugula in for flavor. Puree any leftovers, makes a great dip!

Randy

This was great! I used chard and omitted the mozzarella.This recipe doesn't make four servings unless you're feeding toddlers or supermodels. At my house it made two generous adult servings. Next time I'll double it.

Randy

Adding bacon for protein makes as much sense as adding extra salt for the iodine.

Ritamay

What could you sub in for fennel? My family and I don't care for it... Thank you!

Post first attempt

Add lemon zest as well as the juice for extra flavor.

Anne

I loved that the recipe included fennel--cooking it changes the flavor from when it is raw--it was such a flavor enhancer. I had both kale and spinach, & added both, so we had 2 different greens--one substantial & one tender. My husband loved the contrast. I cooked up my own cannellini beans, rather than using canned & they kept their shape well. I added some preserved lemon because I didn't have any fresh lemons, and that really added great flavor. Will make again!

Denise

I love almost all NYT recipes but this is one of the best. Full of flavor and healthy. We didn't change a thing.

Jen

Delicious and easy. Wonderful lunch! I sautéed a little pancetta and sprinkled on top. Also chopped up some fennel fronds and added a shallot and some green onions. Skipped the mozz. in the soup. If you want, rub the bread with olive oil and garlic, toast, top with cheese and pop under broiler. Then float the cheesy toast in the soup. I’ll double the recipe next time.

PF

Not sure why recipes call for discarding (or simply not using) the Swiss chard stems. They can be trimmed and diced and added with the fennel and onion. Or replace the fennel altogether. Great choice for a Meatless Monday, although it's screaming out for pancetta or bacon or sausage.

Karen B

Made this vegan for my girlfriend. Subbed in red onion, dried Rosemary, great northern beans, and finished with white balsamic because I ran out of lemons. She said it was her in her top 5 things I’ve ever made for her. Easy and Italian inspired weeknight dinner or side. Loved!

Kim from Charlottesville

This is especially good the night after a roast chicken, so you can use the stock.

Julia

I don't understand how you mince thyme. The leaves are already tiny. Are you supposed to mince the woody stems?

N Spencer

Just delicious. The greens cook down to nothing so I added more at the end. I put in a combo of escarole and Swiss chard. I’m seeing people say it needs sausage…well, I roughly cut up two kielbasas (Wardynski’s brand - the absolute best from upstate NY, iykyk), fried them up in a skillet to caramelize and added them at the end. Awesome!

Jane

This is always good. I leave out the rosemary. Add LOTS of cheese. Perfect lunch.

Jean

Added a Parmesan rind to the mix! Yum!

Marianne

I skipped the mozzarella. Went for kale and chard. Im always looking for more plant based (especially bean and lentil) dishes but I did end up adding broth and a little shredded chicken from a leftover rotisserie. Served with toasted sourdough bread. Fantastic!

Henri

This is the NYT dish that gets five stars? The first time…I forget. The second time, I made exactly as written (sans mozzarella) and with toasted olive bread. It was…food. I couldn’t eat that much because it didn’t compel itself into my tummy.

Mia

WOW this is So good! Definitely one of those "greater than the sum of its parts" recipes. The red pepper warmed the dish up, the greens were so pleasant, and the parmesan cheese finishes the beans off so well. (As I am typing this, I'm eating it for a midnight snack; I can attest that it is as good reheated as it was earlier in the evening for dinner!.) Serving it with crusty bread makes you forget that this is a budget meal because it is so satisfying.

Joyce

wonderful! I did the refrigerator thing. I had rapid, leeks and 1 can of cennelli and one can of black beans, Then I found a bit of chorizo left over that one in it too. Easy to make and I love both the beans and the greens. Def remake.

Kathy

Easy, very tasty, healthy, hearty. The fennel, lemon and mozzarella add very nice dimensions.

CG

The fresh fennel I used was tasteless. I added a TBSP or more fennel seed and lots of fresh lemon juice, significantly improving the flavor. I blended the beans into a smooth, creamy soup, adding the cooked kale afterward. I like this fresh take on bean soup instead of ones that reek of animal carcasses and bacon fat.

erika

Cooked sausage first and removed. Kept 1c of beans out of dish

Cutta

IT’S PERFECT.

Rob R

We are long-time Beans au Vin fans, but I must admit this is equal or even slightly better! Made as described other than garlic omission, this is a fantastic dish. Enjoy.

Katherine

This was really good made it with navy beans if cooked from dry, so the beans fell apart more than in the picture, but the flavors were so good. Definitely on the make it again list.

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Braised White Beans and Greens With Parmesan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How can I make my beans more flavorful? ›

Dried beans cooked with sea salt and water are delicious, but adding an onion, garlic, or other aromatics to the pot will make them even more flavorful!

What is the best white bean? ›

Great Northern Beans: The Meatiest of the Bunch

Unlike Navy Beans, Great Northern beans retain their shape when they're cooked, making them an excellent candidate for white bean soups and stews or — my own personal favorite – Vegan Cassoulet. Great Northern Beans have a mild, nutty flavor.

Are cannellini beans and white kidney beans the same thing? ›

White Kidney Beans, also known as Cannellini Beans, are large, kidney-shaped beans with a white skin. They have a soft texture, and are great ingredient for pureed dips like hummus, creamy salad dressings (i.e., Caesar salad dressing) and sauces.

How long to cook white beans after soaking? ›

Bring the beans to a boil, then cover and simmer them gently for 20 to 30 minutes or until the beans are tender but not mushy. The cooking time will depend on the size and age of the beans. Smaller and newer beans will require a shorter cooking time, so check on them after 20 minutes.

What are the best spices to put in beans? ›

Toss drained/rinsed/dried beans with a bit of olive oil (or avocado oil) and your favorite seasonings. You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.

How do you get the most flavor out of beans? ›

Bump up the flavor with tomato paste

Remember your old friend tomato paste? It's great to add into beans. Throw in a dollop or two to the aromatics once they've cooked, and sauté in the hot fat for a minute or two, just to cook out the tinny flavor. Harissa paste also works nicely for this.

Is there a difference between white beans and great northern beans? ›

"The difference between the two rests primarily with the heartiness of the cannellini over the northern," explains Vince Hayward, the president of Camellia Brand beans. "Because of the thicker skin, and slightly bolder bean taste, the cannellini lends itself better towards soups and stews," Hayward adds.

What are the 4 types of white beans? ›

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

Which white bean is healthiest? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is another name for white beans? ›

What Are White Beans? White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc.

What are the big white beans called? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

What happens if you don't soak white beans? ›

If you don't have time to presoak, don't sweat it– your beans will still be tender and delicious. However, there is one exception: if you're starting with old beans that have suffered moisture loss (Primary Beans defines as beans older than 2 years from harvest), a presoak may help you achieve evenly cooked beans.

Do onions make beans cook faster? ›

Try adding some slices of onions to the pot of beans after parboiling and then letting it sit on the fire for a while. The onion slices will have an impact on the seeds, altering the protein bonds that make them resistant to heat, and as a result, your beans will soften quickly, saving you time and cooking gas.

What happens if you let beans soak for too long? ›

It is possible to soak beans for too long before cooking. Beans should soak for 8 to 10 hours overnight. If they are soaked for longer than 12 hours, they can lose their familiar flavor and become overly mushy. For the best result, refrain from soaking them for too long.

What can I add to canned beans to make them taste better? ›

I like to sprinkle in some taco seasoning, but you could add whatever spices you like — garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder are all good calls. Then, you mash the beans up directly in the pan and add just a little bit of vinegar at the end to really make the beans sing.

Why do restaurant beans taste better? ›

While lard has been replaced with vegetable oil or shortening in many households, the distinct richness and velvety texture it imparts to a skillet of refried beans is hard to beat. The closest substitute for lard is bacon grease, which is another form of rendered pork fat that's arguably even more flavorful.

Why are my beans so bland? ›

Undercooking your beans

Overcooking can detract from the eating experience, leaving your beans bland and lifeless. Undercooking beans, on the other hand, can put yourself at risk of food-borne illness. This is especially true for red beans like kidney beans.

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