Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew Recipe 385

Steps:

• Add the olive oil to a large, heavy pan over medium heat. When hot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for one more minute. Stir in the thyme, salt, and black pepper. Add the beans, broth, rosemary, and bay leaf. Stir to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer until the stew is thickened, 20-25 minutes.
• Add the kale and cook until wilted, 3-4 minutes.
• Remove the rosemary sprigs and bay leaf. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve as-is or over polenta, brown rice, or quinoa. Drizzle individual servings with a little olive oil, if desired.

Steps:

• Dissolve 3 tablespoons salt in 4 quarts cold water in large bowl or container. Add beans and soak at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours. Drain and rinse well. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 250°F. Heat oil and pancetta in large Dutch oven over med-heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pancetta is lightly browned and fat has rendered, 6-10 minutes. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and lightly browned, 10-16 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, water, bay leaves and soaked beans. Increase heat to high and bring to simmer. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook until beans are almost tender {very center of beans will still be firm} 45-60 minutes. Remove pot from oven and stir in greens and tomatoes. Return pot to oven and continue to cook until beans and greens are fully tender, 30-40 minutes longer. Remove pot from oven and submerge rosemary sprig in stew. Cover and let stand 15 minutes. Discard bay leaves and rosemary sprig and season stew with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, use back of spoon to press some beans against side of pot to thicken stew. Serve over toasted bread, if desired, and drizzle with olive oil.

Steps:

• Follow instructions on the beans to reconstitute them.
• Save the water on the last rinse for the soup.
• In a large pot render the bacon until quite crisp, not burned.
• Add in onion, celery, peppers and mushrooms.
• Cook over low to medium heat until very soft and fragrant.
• Pour in stock and beans (with their water) Add herbs and spices; take it easy, you can always add more.
• Simmer over low heat for about an hour.
• Add tomatoes, taste and adjust seasonings.
• Boil water for the pasta in another large pot.
• Cook the pasta about half way, drain and add to first pot.
• Bring to a boil and cook noodles all the way.
• Be sure not to ruin the beans by boiling too long.