Best White Beans With Broccoli Rabe And Lemon Recipes

white beans with broccoli rabe & lemon image

Provided by Rosemary Stelmach

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small lemon, very thinly sliced ((seeds removed))
2 anchovy fillets, packed in oil
4 garlic cloves, peeled & thinly sliced
1/2 bunch fresh broccoli rabe, trimmed & chopped ((about 8 to 10 ounces))
kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup fresh italian parsley leaves, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese ((plus more for serving))
crushed red pepper flakes, for serving ((optional))

Steps:

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add lemon, anchovies, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lemon is softened and brown in spots and anchovies fall apart, about 5 minutes.
Add broccoli rabe; season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
Add beans and ½ cup water to pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors have melded and liquid is reduced by half (you still want it to be saucy), about 5 minutes. Mix in parsley and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan.
Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with red pepper flakes, if desired, and top with additional grated Parmesan.

Spicy White Bean Stew With Broccoli Rabe image

Provided by Alison Roman

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large bunch (or 2 small bunches) broccoli rabe or kale, thick stems separated from the leaves
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 medium red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons harissa or tomato paste
Red-pepper flakes (optional)
3 (15-ounce) cans large white beans, such as cannellini, butter or great Northern, drained and rinsed
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 preserved lemon, thinly sliced, or 1 lemon, halved, for squeezing
2 ounces feta or other salty cheese, such as queso fresco or pecorino, crumbled
1 cup parsley or cilantro, leaves and tender stems
Fried or medium-boiled eggs, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Tear broccoli rabe or kale leaves into bite-size pieces and set aside. Chop the stems into about 1/4-inch pieces; set aside.
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and sizzled at the edges, 4 to 6 minutes.
Add harissa (or tomato paste and a pinch of red-pepper flakes), and stir to coat in the oil. Cook until the harissa is a nice brick red color, the sugars start to caramelize and the oil turns a nice vibrant fiery orange color, about 2 minutes.
Add beans, and season with salt and pepper. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, crush a few beans to release their creamy interior.
Add the broth and reserved stems, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until you've reached your desired consistency (less time for a brothier soup, more time for a thicker stew), 15 to 20 minutes.
Add broccoli rabe or kale leaves and preserved lemon or lemon juice, and stir to wilt the greens. Season with salt, pepper and more red-pepper flakes if you want it spicier.
Serve with feta and parsley, and with eggs, if you like.

White Bean Primavera image

Provided by Sarah DiGregorio

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium to large zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced into ½-inch thick semicircles
Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
8 ounces asparagus (about ½ large bunch) or green beans, or a mix, cut into 1-inch lengths
1 carrot, peeled, then shaved into strips with a peeler
5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen peas (no need to thaw)
2 scallions, green and white parts, sliced
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Black pepper
3 (15-ounce) cans butter beans or cannellini beans, drained
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice (from about 1/2 large lemon), plus more to taste
2 ounces grated Parmesan (about ½ cup), plus more for serving
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds or pine nuts
Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish

Steps:

Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet (preferably straight-sided) over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and 1 teaspoon salt, and stir, then cook undisturbed in an even layer until one side is golden, about 4 minutes. (It's great if the butter browns, but decrease the heat if it threatens to get too dark.) Stir in the asparagus, carrot and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the peas, scallions and ½ teaspoon salt, then add the red-pepper flakes, oregano and a generous amount of black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the peas are warmed through and bright green, about 2 minutes.
Add the white beans and the cream, lower the heat to medium, and let the cream come to a simmer. Simmer for about 1 minute.
Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice, Parmesan and Dijon. Taste and season with more salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of warm water to the creamy beans to loosen as you like; the sauce will thicken as it cools. (You may need more water when you reheat any leftovers.) Serve in bowls topped with the nuts and a handful of basil leaves. Pass more Parmesan at the table.