Beans and Greens is a classic Italian dish with tender escarole and creamy cannellini beans. Create this hearty Italian side dish in less than 30 minutes with this authentic one-pot recipe.
Heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion, a pinch or two of chili flakes, Kosher salt, and black pepper, and cook until softened about 5 to 7 minutes.
Stir in the sliced celery ribs and the minced garlic cloves. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add ½ cup of vegetable broth and simmer. Then lower the heat to medium-low, add the chopped escarole (2 pounds), cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for approximately 7-10 minutes until the escarole is wilted and tender.
Remove the cover, add the drained but unrinsed cannellini beans and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes while leaving the pot uncovered. It is worth noting that if you use canned beans without salt, you can add as much canning liquid as you prefer to achieve your desired "brothiness."
Turn off the heat and stir in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
Taste and adjust seasonings.
Serve with a slice of Italian crusty bread. Garnish with freshly grated cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or a squirt of lemon juice.
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Notes
Start with high-quality ingredients such as fresh produce and canned beans with natural ingredients.
Chopping the escarole into 1-inch-sized pieces prevents it from clumping together when cooked.
Removing dirt and sediment from chopped escarole is easier than whole leaves.
Drying the washed escarole is unnecessary as it will be braised.
Start with a large pot (e.g., a Dutch oven) to accommodate the chopped green escarole.
Creating a modified soffritto with aromatics like diced onion, chopped celery, and minced garlic creates a great flavor base.
If you do not have a homemade vegetable broth, using a commercial brand such as Better than Bouillon adds a flavorful backbone to the dish.
A squeeze of lemon before serving brings the flavors together and brightens the overall taste.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.