Gigante Beans with Escarole and Roasted Garlic

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Meal: Lunch or Dinner

Style: Vegan Main Entree

Yield: 24 servings

You'll find gigante beans in Mediterranean stores or at specialty food markets such as Whole Foods, Andronico’s or Draeger’s. If they aren't available, substitute a white bean such as Great Northern or flageolets but I recommend trying to find gigante beans as the presentation is much nicer. Beans must be soaked overnight so plan ahead.

Accompaniments: Warm, rustic, crusty bread

Ingredients for Roasted Garlic

Garlic cloves, whole 15 ea

Olive Oil 2 pints

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place garlic in a oven proof dish an pour olive oil until the garlic cloves are just covered. Cover the dish with aluminum and cook for about 20-30 minutes or until the garlic is soft. Do not overcook as the garlic will burn and taste rancid. Remove from heat and set aside.

Ingredients

Gigante Beans (soak overnight) 3 cups

Escarole, dark leafy tops rinsed and chopped 6 bunches

Bay Leaves 4 ea

Coarse salt and ground pepper

Extra virgin olive oil ¾ cup

Onion, small dice 3 ea

Carrot, peeled and small dice 6 ea

Celery, small dice 1 head

Anise seed 2 Tb

Red pepper flakes 2 tsp

Lemon zest 4 lemons

Thyme, chopped ½ bunch

Parsley, chopped 1 bunch

Method

Using a strainer, rinse beans. Place rinsed beans in a medium bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight. Drain beans and rinse; put beans in a medium pot and cover with 6 inches of water. Add bay leaves and bring to a boil, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Season with salt and cook an additional 5 minutes. Drain beans and discard bay leaves.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, season with salt and pepper, and stir frequently until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted garlic, escarole, anise seed, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest and cook for 1 minute. Add beans and thyme to vegetables and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cool. Toss with parsley just before serving.