Braised White Beans and Greens With Parmesan Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

dee

Discarding those stalks from the chard is such a miss. Think of chard as two vegetables in one - the stalk and the leaf. Cut them out {fold the leaf in half lengthwise and cut along the length of stalk to free the stalk from the leaf} and dice the stalks, then add to the onions and fennel to sauté.

Sarah

Celery or leeks are a good sub for fennel and given the way this recipe is made I'd go with leeks for a more mild flavor profile. Celery is better as a substitute for raw fennel.

Josh

Gosh. This is about the most delicious bean dish I've made. No: it's the most delicious using canned beans. Living alone I need a few ways to use up leftovers so here are my plans: 1) add more stock and turn into soup, 2) drain some in a sieve overnight in fridge and smash into a ciabatta bun for lunch, 3) reheat and serve with a poached egg and baguette toast points.

greta

It’s not a NYT recipe until there are hundreds of readers posting their spin on it, but here I am..! Just had to mention how easy and efficient this meal was. Had almost every single ingredient chilling in the refrigerator (post-galentine’s day) - ALL I had to pay was 55p for a baguette! Added (here we go..) some bacon for a fat/protein element and went easy on the seasoning and cheese. The lemon juice tied it all together. Yet another go to recipe in my NYT archives.

Dan Findlay

Don't be afraid to use other greens; dandelion, turnip, beet, collard, arugula, and foraged wild greens (Lamb's quarters, purslane, sorrel, chickweed, etc.) in the spring. This recipe is descended from "la cucina povera," the no-waste, make use of limited resources, use what you have on hand, "poor cooking."

Chefkreidler

I've been making this dish for 30 years. I like to add a little Arugula in for flavor. Puree any leftovers, makes a great dip!

Randy

This was great! I used chard and omitted the mozzarella.This recipe doesn't make four servings unless you're feeding toddlers or supermodels. At my house it made two generous adult servings. Next time I'll double it.

Randy

Adding bacon for protein makes as much sense as adding extra salt for the iodine.

Ritamay

What could you sub in for fennel? My family and I don't care for it... Thank you!

Post first attempt

Add lemon zest as well as the juice for extra flavor.

Anne

I loved that the recipe included fennel--cooking it changes the flavor from when it is raw--it was such a flavor enhancer. I had both kale and spinach, & added both, so we had 2 different greens--one substantial & one tender. My husband loved the contrast. I cooked up my own cannellini beans, rather than using canned & they kept their shape well. I added some preserved lemon because I didn't have any fresh lemons, and that really added great flavor. Will make again!

Denise

I love almost all NYT recipes but this is one of the best. Full of flavor and healthy. We didn't change a thing.

Jen

Delicious and easy. Wonderful lunch! I sautéed a little pancetta and sprinkled on top. Also chopped up some fennel fronds and added a shallot and some green onions. Skipped the mozz. in the soup. If you want, rub the bread with olive oil and garlic, toast, top with cheese and pop under broiler. Then float the cheesy toast in the soup. I’ll double the recipe next time.

PF

Not sure why recipes call for discarding (or simply not using) the Swiss chard stems. They can be trimmed and diced and added with the fennel and onion. Or replace the fennel altogether. Great choice for a Meatless Monday, although it's screaming out for pancetta or bacon or sausage.

Karen B

Made this vegan for my girlfriend. Subbed in red onion, dried Rosemary, great northern beans, and finished with white balsamic because I ran out of lemons. She said it was her in her top 5 things I’ve ever made for her. Easy and Italian inspired weeknight dinner or side. Loved!

N Spencer

Just delicious. The greens cook down to nothing so I added more at the end. I put in a combo of escarole and Swiss chard. I’m seeing people say it needs sausage…well, I roughly cut up two kielbasas (Wardynski’s brand - the absolute best from upstate NY, iykyk), fried them up in a skillet to caramelize and added them at the end. Awesome!

Julia

I don't understand how you mince thyme. The leaves are already tiny. Are you supposed to mince the woody stems?

Jane

This is always good. I leave out the rosemary. Add LOTS of cheese. Perfect lunch.

Jean

Added a Parmesan rind to the mix! Yum!

Marianne

I skipped the mozzarella. Went for kale and chard. Im always looking for more plant based (especially bean and lentil) dishes but I did end up adding broth and a little shredded chicken from a leftover rotisserie. Served with toasted sourdough bread. Fantastic!

Henri

This is the NYT dish that gets five stars? The first time…I forget. The second time, I made exactly as written (sans mozzarella) and with toasted olive bread. It was…food. I couldn’t eat that much because it didn’t compel itself into my tummy.

Mia

WOW this is So good! Definitely one of those "greater than the sum of its parts" recipes. The red pepper warmed the dish up, the greens were so pleasant, and the parmesan cheese finishes the beans off so well. (As I am typing this, I'm eating it for a midnight snack; I can attest that it is as good reheated as it was earlier in the evening for dinner!.) Serving it with crusty bread makes you forget that this is a budget meal because it is so satisfying.

Joyce

wonderful! I did the refrigerator thing. I had rapid, leeks and 1 can of cennelli and one can of black beans, Then I found a bit of chorizo left over that one in it too. Easy to make and I love both the beans and the greens. Def remake.

Kathy

Easy, very tasty, healthy, hearty. The fennel, lemon and mozzarella add very nice dimensions.

CG

The fresh fennel I used was tasteless. I added a TBSP or more fennel seed and lots of fresh lemon juice, significantly improving the flavor. I blended the beans into a smooth, creamy soup, adding the cooked kale afterward. I like this fresh take on bean soup instead of ones that reek of animal carcasses and bacon fat.

erika

Cooked sausage first and removed. Kept 1c of beans out of dish

Cutta

IT’S PERFECT.

Rob R

We are long-time Beans au Vin fans, but I must admit this is equal or even slightly better! Made as described other than garlic omission, this is a fantastic dish. Enjoy.

Katherine

This was really good made it with navy beans if cooked from dry, so the beans fell apart more than in the picture, but the flavors were so good. Definitely on the make it again list.

Deborah

I always give recipes the benefit of the doubt and make them as written the first time. This recipe managed to take two things that are good on their own (chard and cannellini beans) and combine them in such a way that it ruined both of them. This was watery and bland and had an unappetizing consistency. I will not be making it again, even with "tweaks."

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Braised White Beans and Greens With Parmesan Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean to braise beans? ›

Braising is nothing more than hours of soaking and hours of cooking and cooking, smashing and mushing the beans as you go. This allows the layers of flavors to meld and intensify. If you're using dried beans, everything can happen in one pot.

How long to cook white beans after soaking? ›

Drain soaked beans and transfer to a large pot. Cover by 2 inches with cold water, add onion and bay leaves and bring to a boil; skim off and discard any foam on the surface. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, gently stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Are cannellini beans the same as white beans? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

How healthy are white beans? ›

White bean Nutrition 411

Their fiber contributes to both gut health—they're source of prebiotic fiber, aka good food for your good gut microbes—and heart health, as eating pulses can help lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

Does braised mean fully cooked? ›

And that's the thing about a braise: It doesn't cook to a specific temperature, just until it's fork-tender and ready to fall apart. Dinner's almost done!

Does braised mean cooked? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added. Braising is a combination of covered roasting and steaming.

How do you know when white beans are done? ›

If the water level drops below the beans, add more water so the beans are covered at all times. The beans are done cooking when they're all tender; you can test this as they by smooshing a bean or two against the side of the pot with a fork — it should collapse easily, but not be mushy.

Can you overcook white beans? ›

Overcooked beans are perfectly safe to eat, but while they may be edible, they'll be less pleasant to consume. Signs that your beans are overcooked include them being very soft and mushy. Tender beans are ideal, but if they lack firmness and don't keep their shape, they have probably simmered for too long.

What happens if you don't soak white beans? ›

If you're the impatient, bean-hungry type, you can cook your beans from dry without any soaking at all. Here's the thing: Beans that have not been soaked ahead of time will always take longer to cook, but they will, indeed, cook.

What is the healthiest white bean? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is the best white bean? ›

Great Northern Beans

But if you're looking for just one bean to keep on your pantry shelves, you'll want to go with the great northern white bean. With its nutty flavor, firm flesh and medium size, great northern beans work in almost any application. Bean salad? Perfect.

Is it OK to eat white beans everyday? ›

Is it healthy to eat beans every day? Yes! "Eating beans, including canned beans, every day is one of the best things you can do to help increase nutrients [that you may fall short on] and substantially improve the quality of your diet," says Papanikolaou.

Are beans healthier than rice? ›

Campos and her colleagues found that people who increased daily servings of white rice over time had higher blood pressure and higher levels of sugar and harmful fats in their blood—warning signs for type 2 diabetes. Those who ate more servings of beans than rice greatly reduced their risk.

Are white beans anti inflammatory? ›

Overview. Low-calorie, nutrient-dense cannellini beans and other legumes are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties and have even been found to help people with diabetes (about half of whom also have arthritis).

What does braise mean in cooking? ›

Braising (from the French word braiser) is a combination-cooking method that uses both wet and dry heats: typically, the food is first browned at a high temperature, then simmered in a covered pot in cooking liquid (such as wine, broth, coconut milk or beer).

Is braising just boiling? ›

For braising, on the other hand, the ingredient is first browned in a small amount of oil; then some form of liquid – generally a flavorful broth – is added to cover the food about one-third way up or less. The pot is gently simmered over lower heat, tightly covered, for a fairly long period.

Is braising the same as slow cooking? ›

Braising, a form of slow cooking, involves cooking meat on a bed of vegetables (a mirepoix) with a small amount of liquid in a covered pan, for a couple hours on a low heat. The vegetables are usually served with the meat and the wonderful cooking juices are used as a tasty sauce.

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