When having lunch this summer, the girls and I would plop ourselves down in the den to watch the News at Noon while dining on our PB&Js. Yes, I know it is not exactly the thing to do. So, please, no lectures on eating in front of the TV.
After we had seen the weather report (which was usually the same 0% chance of rain, 110˚) we would flip over to the Food Network or the Martha Stewart Show. If neither one of those was too interesting there was always Bugs Bunny!
This particular day we watched 10 Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian. To be quite honest, I had never watched her show before. I always kinda’ thought, ” $10?! What’s the big deal? I do that every night!” We watched anyway.
She was making Cannellini Beans. I had heard of them before but had never had them. They are pretty much white, Italian kidney beans. You can find out all in the world you ever wanted to know about cannellini beans on this website. That’s right, they have their own website!
The recipe looked yummy so we tried it.
The recipe calls for herbes de provence. I had never had that either. You buy a bottle of it over on the spice aisle. I’ll tell you now, so you don’t freak out at the store, it is not an inexpensive item. It makes this dish so delish though!
The white wine is also a key ingredient, I think. We don’t keep wine around, so I used cooking wine. It was still very yummy–just in case you prefer to go that route as well.
Ingredients
- 1/2 sweet bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon herbes de provence
- 3 cups cooked cannellini beans
- 1/2 baguette, sliced and toasted, for serving
Directions
In a medium saute pan, cook the bell peppers and onions in 2 tablespoons olive oil until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine and allow to boil for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the stock, herbs de provence, and beans and simmer for 20 minutes. Pour into shallow bowls and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Serve with bread slices.
I brushed my toast with olive oil then rubbed a garlic clove on each piece before toasting.
This was absolutely one of the most delicious meals I have ever made or eaten! I just felt so fancy eating it! Weird, I know. It had a very complex, yet light, flavor. I loved it! Be sure to see what the Critics had to say.
Critics’ Corner
Chip: A taste of Tuscany–on toast.
Megan: This is better than pizza! (high praise from a teenager)
Katie: I love, love, love, LOVE these beans!
August 15, 2012 at 7:49 pm
This looks wonderful! I have eaten Cannellini beans before but never fixed like this. I will have to try it. Besides, if the girls liked it, I know it is good.
August 15, 2012 at 8:02 pm
This is a very easy recipe. Megan made it by herself one night.
August 16, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Did you used canned beans ? I want to try this!
August 16, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Yes, I think I used two cans, hmmm, maybe three. The answer to the question is YES. : )
September 3, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Ok, I tried this recipe. (It took a trip to Little Rock to find the Herbs) 😦
Anyway, it was delish! I love these Herbs! I will be using them in many other recipes………soups, roasts, veggies. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!
September 3, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Glad you tried it and liked it. If you had kept drivin’ I would have given you some of mine!
January 7, 2013 at 4:08 pm
[…] think my favorite new recipe I tried was Cannellini Beans. Y’all, it is just so […]