Hearty Escarole and Beans Recipe: A Cozy Italian Classic

Savory escarole and beans dance together in a rustic Italian classic that promises comfort on your plate.

Mediterranean kitchens have long cherished this humble combination of greens and legumes.

Hearty white beans mingle with slightly bitter escarole, creating a symphony of flavors that warm your soul.

Simplicity defines this traditional dish, where each ingredient speaks volumes about authentic cooking.

Nutritious and satisfying, the recipe connects you to generations of home cooks who understood real nourishment.

Packed with protein and leafy goodness, this meal transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Come ready to experience a delightful journey through Italian countryside cooking that will make you fall in love with every single bite.

What Makes Escarole and Beans a Cozy Classic

• Savor Hearty Comfort: A soul-warming dish that combines creamy cannellini beans with nutritious escarole, delivering a satisfying meal packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Requires minimal ingredients and basic cooking skills, making it perfect for home cooks seeking a delicious yet uncomplicated recipe that comes together quickly.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Loaded with protein from beans and vitamins from escarole, this recipe offers a healthy, balanced meal that supports overall wellness without compromising taste.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable for various dietary preferences, can be served as a main course or side dish, and appeals to both vegetable lovers and bean enthusiasts with its rich, comforting profile.

Ingredients Needed for Escarole and Beans Dish

• Escarole: A slightly bitter leafy green that adds a fresh, earthy flavor to the dish.

• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans that provide a rich, smooth texture and hearty protein base.
• Chicken Stock: Adds depth of flavor and helps create a delicious, savory broth for the dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking base and enhances the overall flavor of the recipe.
• Garlic: Brings a robust, aromatic flavor that complements the beans and greens.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and warmth to the dish.
• Parmigiano Reggiano: A sharp, aged cheese that provides a salty and nutty finish.
• Italian Bread: Serves as a perfect accompaniment for soaking up the flavorful broth.

Cooking Instructions for Escarole and Beans Stew

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Select a spacious pot and drizzle olive oil across its bottom. Set the burner to medium heat, allowing the oil to shimmer and become fragrant.

Gently introduce minced garlic and sprinkle red pepper flakes into the dancing oil.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Foundation

• Cannellini beans
• Chicken stock

Let the mixture bubble gently, allowing flavors to meld together for approximately 10 minutes.

Step 3: Welcome the Leafy Green

Tumble chopped escarole into the simmering liquid. Cover the pot with a lid, creating a cozy steaming environment.

Allow greens to soften and wilt for 10-15 minutes, depending on your preferred tenderness.

Step 4: Create a Delicious Presentation

Transfer the hearty mixture into warm serving bowls.

Accompany with crusty toasted Italian bread. Dust the top generously with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, adding a luxurious finishing touch to this rustic, comforting dish.

Helpful Notes for Escarole and Beans Perfection

• Crush garlic cloves instead of mincing to release more intense, aromatic notes that deeply infuse the dish.
• Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to suit your heat preference, from a mild hint to a bold kick.
• Slightly mash some cannellini beans while cooking to create a creamier, more luxurious broth consistency.
• Add escarole in stages if you prefer varied textures, with some leaves more tender and others retaining slight crunch.
• Rub toasted bread with a fresh garlic clove and drizzle with olive oil for an authentic Italian touch before serving.

Variations to Try With Escarole and Beans

• Mediterranean Herb Boost: Infuse the dish with fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Chorizo Edition: Replace chicken stock with chorizo sausage and add smoked paprika for a rich, spicy kick.
• Creamy White Bean Fusion: Blend half the beans before adding to create a creamier, thicker texture with a velvety consistency.
• Tuscan Kale Alternative: Swap escarole with chopped Tuscan kale for a heartier, more robust green vegetable option.

What Complements a Bowl of Escarole and Beans

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp, acidic white like Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness of beans and complement the escarole's slightly bitter notes.
• Enhance with Crusty Bread: Serve a rustic sourdough or ciabatta alongside the dish to soak up the flavorful broth and add textural contrast.
• Match with Herbal Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty bean and escarole combination, providing a fresh palate cleanser.
• Complement with Pecorino: Swap Parmigiano Reggiano for a sharper Pecorino Romano cheese, which adds a bold, salty kick that intensifies the dish's Mediterranean profile.

Proper Way to Store Escarole and Beans Dish

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.

Transfer cooled escarole and beans to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Beans might soften slightly upon thawing.

Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir occasionally until heated through.

FAQs

• What are cannellini beans, and can I substitute them?

Cannellini beans are white Italian kidney beans with a creamy texture. You can substitute great northern beans or navy beans if cannellini aren’t available.

• Is escarole different from other leafy greens?

Escarole is a type of endive with broad, slightly bitter leaves. It’s less bitter than other chicory greens and holds up well when cooked, making it perfect for soups and sautés.

• How can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth to create a completely vegetarian version of the recipe. The dish will remain flavorful and nutritious.

Escarole And Beans Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Escarole and Beans brings rustic comfort from traditional kitchens, blending tender greens with creamy cannellini in a savory broth. Simple ingredients create a soul-warming dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 head escarole, washed and chopped
• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can cannellini beans, rinsed
• 1 cup chicken stock

Seasonings:

• 4 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Serving Accompaniments:

• Toasted Italian bread slices
• Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium heat, introducing minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to create an aromatic base.
2. Allow garlic to develop a soft golden hue, then gently incorporate cannellini beans and rich chicken stock into the mixture.
3. Reduce heat and let the liquid simmer, allowing flavors to meld and beans to become tender, approximately 10 minutes.
4. Introduce roughly chopped escarole into the pot, ensuring leaves are fully submerged, then cover and cook until greens transform into a wilted, vibrant state, roughly 10-15 minutes.
5. Select a rustic serving dish and transfer the steaming escarole and bean medley, highlighting its robust textures and deep flavors.
6. Accompany the dish with crisp, toasted Italian bread and generously dust with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for an authentic, comforting finish.

Notes

• Adjust the red pepper flakes based on your spice tolerance, starting with a pinch and adding more for extra heat.
• For a vegetarian version, replace chicken stock with vegetable broth to maintain rich flavor depth.
• Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and improve digestibility, ensuring a cleaner taste profile.
• Chop escarole leaves uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 190 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg