CHEF JOHN'S BEANS AND GREENS

Chef John's Beans and Greens image

Beans and greens has it all: it's very easy and inexpensive to make; it's highly nutritious; it's soulful and comforting; and it can be served as a main course, side dish, soup, vegetable stew, or my personal favorite--as an appetizer. This is my new favorite home version, and uses delicious, beautiful escarole.

Provided by Chef John

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 35m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
4 cups chicken broth
1 pinch red pepper flakes
2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini (white) beans, drained
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
½ teaspoon lemon zest
1 anchovy filet
1 head escarole, chopped
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until bubbling and sizzling, about 20 seconds. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until liquid is reduced by half, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes.
Stir in beans; bring to a boil and cook until you can see the tops of the beans just below the surface of the liquid, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in oregano, lemon zest, and anchovy filet. Simmer for 3 minutes.
Place escarole in bean mixture; reduce heat to low and stir until escarole wilts, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste; garnish with red pepper flakes and extra virgin olive oil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 203 calories, Carbohydrate 24.8 g, Cholesterol 3.9 mg, Fat 8 g, Fiber 9.1 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 1006.6 mg, Sugar 1 g