Tuscan White Bean Ragout

Eaten on it's own, or used in other dishes, this is good! This hearty stew packs lots of flavor and nutrition! Adapted from The Everything Vegetarian Cookbook by Jay Weinstein.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb great northern bean, cooked very soft (or one 28 ounce can of large white beans)
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  tablespoons garlic, chopped (about 5 cloves)
• 2  medium onions, diced
• 2  teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1/4 tsp. dried)
• 1  dried new mexico  chili (or 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes)
• 1  head escarole (about 6 cups leaves, or an equal amount of spinach, torn into large pieces)
• 6  ripe plum tomatoes, seeded and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 2  ounces unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, rough chopped
• 1⁄2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated (optional)
•  kosher  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 3  drops extra virgin olive oil (or a nice flavored oil)

Directions

1. Strain the cooking liquid from the beans and reserve(you should have about 2 cups of liquid-add water if necessary to reach this amount). Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it turns white and fragrant, only aobut 30 seconds. Stir in the onions, rosemary, and chili. Cook gently until the onions are very soft, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beans and enough bean cooking liquid to make the mixture brothy; simmer 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the escarole or spinach; simmer until it is all wilted. Add the tomatoes, butter, parsley, and cheese if using. Remove from the heat, and stir until the butter is melted in, adding additional bean liquid as necessary to keep it brothy. Season well with salt and pepper.
3. Serve warm, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
4. Note:.
5. This stew can be prepared just up to adding wscarole. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will marry and the dish will be even better.