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Stewed beans with herbs

These stewed beans with herbs are the quiet, comforting side dish that somehow steals the show. They start with humble beans simmered gently with onions, garlic, and a handful of dried herbs until everything turns creamy, brothy, and deeply flavorful. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps, just simple, slow heat doing its thing.

Ingredients

2 cans beans (white beans, about 1 3/4 lb drained)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 teaspoons herbs (dried herbs, thyme, rosemary, sage, coriander or a mix)
1 leaf bay leaf (optional)
1 1⁄2 cups liquid (water or vegetable stock)
1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1⁄2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste, freshly baked black pepper)

Instructions

Heat oil in a pot over medium. Add onion, cook 5–7 minutes until soft. Add garlic, cook 1 minute.

Stir in drained beans, herbs, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Add enough water/stock to partially cover beans.

Simmer gently 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and flavorful.

If too thick, add a splash more water.

If you want creamier beans, lightly mash some against the side of the pot.

Yield
4 servings
Nutrition: 165 calories per serving
Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 40 minutes
Total time
55 minutes

Notes

Serve them alongside roasted meats, squash, and cornbread, or let them anchor a vegetarian plate. They’re cozy, rustic, and perfect for soaking up juices and gravy, exactly the kind of dish you’ll keep “just one more spoonful” of on your plate.

If using dried beans, soak them overnight, discard the water and simmer them in fresh water until tender (1-2 hours, 25 minutes in the pressure cooker) and then add the sautéed aromatics. Simmer them 15 minutes more.

If you prefer fresh herbs, use double amount of fresh herbs than dried herbs.

Variations

Substitute white beans with pinto beans or mixed beans.

Source

North American cuisine

beans, simmering
side dish, holiday dish
North American food recipes
Food in U.S.A.

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