Description
Hearty Italian classic escarole and beans combines rustic warmth with simple Mediterranean ingredients. Nonna’s traditional recipe delivers comforting flavors you’ll savor with each satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head escarole (chopped and rinsed well)
- 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 cloves garlic (sliced thin)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Aromatic Infusion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet and gently sauté garlic until fragrant, ensuring it remains pale and does not burn.
- Green Transformation: Add chopped escarole to the pan, stirring and folding the leaves until they dramatically wilt and reduce in volume, creating a lush green base.
- Flavor Building: Introduce cannellini beans, broth, salt, cracked pepper, and red pepper flakes, allowing the ingredients to meld together in a harmonious culinary dance.
- Simmering Integration: Maintain an uncovered simmer, letting the escarole soften and the flavors intertwine, developing a rich and cohesive taste profile.
- Final Flourish: Brighten the dish with a vibrant splash of lemon juice, fine-tuning the seasoning to achieve a perfectly balanced and nuanced flavor.
- Elegant Presentation: Plate the warm mixture, garnish generously with delicate Parmesan shavings, and serve alongside crusty artisan bread for a complete and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Prevent Bitter Taste: Blanch escarole briefly before cooking to reduce its natural bitterness, ensuring a milder, more pleasant flavor profile.
- Select Fresh Beans: Choose high-quality, creamy cannellini beans – either freshly cooked or from a reliable canned source – for optimal texture and taste.
- Control Garlic Intensity: Watch garlic closely during initial sautéing; golden-brown signals perfect flavor development, while dark brown indicates burning and potential bitterness.
- Adjust Liquid Consistency: Monitor broth levels during simmering, adding more if needed to maintain a slightly soupy, comforting texture without becoming too dry or watery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg