Description
Comfort meets Italian countryside in this hearty Escarole and Beans classic, where silky greens dance with creamy cannellini. Rustic simplicity shines through each spoonful, inviting you to savor authentic flavors that whisper of home-cooked warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head escarole, chopped and rinsed well
- 1 (15 ounces) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet, gently infusing the pan with aromatic garlic, stirring delicately until the kitchen fills with a soft, fragrant essence without allowing the garlic to darken.
- Gradually introduce handfuls of roughly chopped escarole into the pan, gently manipulating the leaves until they collapse and surrender their volume, creating a verdant landscape of wilted greens.
- Incorporate plump cannellini beans into the verdant mixture, complementing them with rich broth, a whisper of salt, cracked pepper, and optional fiery red pepper flakes to elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Allow the mixture to gently simmer, uncovered, permitting the escarole to tenderize and the flavors to intertwine and harmonize, creating a cohesive and robust culinary composition.
- Brighten the entire preparation with a splash of zesty lemon juice, carefully adjusting the seasoning to ensure a perfectly balanced profile that tantalizes the palate.
- Transfer the aromatic creation to serving dishes, crowning it with delicate shavings of Parmesan cheese and presenting alongside rustic, crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Choose fresh, crisp escarole for the best texture and vibrant green color, ensuring it’s thoroughly washed to remove any dirt or grit.
- Control garlic cooking time carefully to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste that overpowers the delicate escarole and bean flavors.
- Add red pepper flakes gradually to customize heat level, allowing individuals with different spice tolerances to enjoy the dish comfortably.
- Transform this recipe into a protein-packed vegetarian meal by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and serving over quinoa or brown rice for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg