BEANS, BEANS THE MUSICAL FRUIT, THE MORE YOU EAT,
    THE MORE YOU D O N’ T TOOT    !

    This class will show just a few of the many ways of fixing dried white beans (of course you can use a can of white beans and avoid all the fun of soaking and cooking them.)

    WHITE BEANS WITH GARLIC, ROSEMARY AND OLIVE OIL

    Dried white beans
    Cloves of garlic
    Olive oil
    Fresh rosemary (or sage leaves)
    Salt & pepper

    The above amounts depend on how great or small a quantity of beans you are using. With a 19 oz.can of cannellini beans, use 1 –2 cloves of garlic and a sprig or two of rosemary. A 16 oz bag of Northern white beans makes a much larger pot of beans, so you use a greater quantity of oil, rosemary and garlic.

    Soak the dried beans overnight
    Cook the beans in water until they are tender (taste them), they may take 30 to 40 minutes
    Saute garlic in olive oil (sage if you are using)
    Drain the cooked beans (save if you are making soup or dip)
    Add olive oil, chopped rosemary and garlic to the beans
    Add salt & pepper to taste
    Keep warm
    Serve with a drizzle of olive oil on top
     

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    WHITE BEAN DIP

    Using the white beans with olive oil, garlic and rosemary (or sage)
    Put all ingredients into a blender and puree (add the bean cooking water to make smooth)
    Use dip on pita toasts with salsa or olive tapenade and/ or goat cheese as an appetizer
     

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    WHITE BEAN SOUP

    Puree or mash the cooked white beans, adding the cooking water to reach your desired consistency for a dip. Add chopped herbs and a little drizzle of the best olive oil you can get. Serve.  

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    WHITE BEANS WITH TOMATOES

    Using cooked white beans, add fresh or canned tomatoes
    Warm and serve with a good Italian or French bread  

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    WHITE BEANS WITH COOKED GREENS AND GARLIC

    Using cooked white beans,
    While beans are cooking,
    Wash greens (spinach, arugula, dandelion, chard or whatever is available)
    Drain
    Saute garlic in olive oil
    Add cleaned greens
    Toss for a few minutes til all are wilted (do not overcook)
    Add beans to the spinach, garlic and oil
    Mix together
    Serve
     

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    WHITE BEANS WITH COOKED GREENS IN TOMATO SOUP

    Using white beans with spinach and garlic
    Saute garlic in oil
    Add fresh or canned tomatoes
    Add white beans to tomatoes, garlic and oil
    Add water if soup is too dense
    Add salt & pepper to taste
    Serve in warmed soup plates