TUSCAN BEANS

Tuscan Beans image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 1/2 cups dried white beans such as Great Northern or navy (1 lb), picked over and rinsed
10 cups water
2 fresh sage sprigs
1 bay leaf (not California)
1 head of garlic
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
Accompaniment: fine-quality extra-virgin olive oil (preferably Tuscan)
Special Equipment
a 5-quart terra-cotta bean pot or heavy saucepan

Steps:

If using a terra-cotta pot for the first time, soak it in water to cover at least 6 hours, then drain.
Put beans, water, sage, bay leaf, and whole head of garlic in bean pot. Cover and slowly bring to a simmer over low heat; this can take 2 3/4 hours in bean pot or 1 hour in saucepan.
Simmer beans until tender and soft but not mushy, about 45 minutes in bean pot or 35 to 40 minutes in saucepan. Remove from heat and cool beans, covered, 15 minutes. Stir in sea salt.
Drain almost all cooking liquid from beans (reserve for making soup if desired) and season beans with sea salt and pepper to taste.
Dress beans with oil at the table.