Escarole with cannellini beans: a hearty vegetarian recipe

Ingredients for Escarole with cannellini beans

• 1 sweet onion, halved

• 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise

• 1 medium carrot, scrubbed

• 2 sprigs parsley

• 2 sprigs rosemary (approximately 7.5 cm each)

• 2 sprigs sage

• 300 g dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight, drained

• 2.5 ml freshly cracked black pepper

• 90 ml olive oil, divided

• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 2 bay leaves

• 15 ml chopped parsley

• 2.5 ml crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 head of escarole, leaves torn

• 30 g finely grated parmesan

How to make Escarole with cannellini beans

1. Bring a large saucepan of 2 litres of water to the boil. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, parsley, rosemary, sage, beans, and pepper. Skim any foam from the surface as needed.  Reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally and adding water as necessary to keep the beans submerged, until they are tender, about 75–90 minutes. Season generously with salt and allow the beans to cool in their liquid. Discard the vegetables and herbs.

2. Heat 60 ml of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown around the edges, about 3 minutes.

3. Add the bay leaves, parsley, and red pepper flakes to the pot; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. Stir in the escarole a handful at a time, allowing each batch to wilt before adding the next, until all the escarole has wilted, about 5 minutes.

5. Pour in 125 ml of water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and cook, stirring occasionally and maintaining a gentle simmer, until the escarole is very tender, about 20–25 minutes.

6. Add 480 g of the cooked beans and 240 ml of the bean cooking liquid to the pot. Bring to a simmer and season with salt and pepper.

7. Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese, followed by the remaining 30 ml of oil.

8. Divide the mixture among bowls and serve warm.

9. The beans can be cooked up to 4 days in advance. Cover and chill until needed.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.