White Beans with Garlic & Herbs
Cooking dried beans is as basic as it gets: put the beans in a pot, cover with water, and simmer until tender. What varies around the globe is the variety of bean and how they are seasoned. There are many heirloom varieties to choose from and they are all delicious flavored with a mirepoix (a mixture of diced or chopped onions, carrot, and celery) and a few herbs, and if you like, a bit of cured meat. Cook beans that you intend to add to a soup or some other dish with whole, not chopped, vegetables and remove them at the end.
Recipe information
Yield
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Rinse the beans and pick over, removing any small stones or debris. If time allows, soak the beans, covered by an inch or so of water, for several hours or overnight. (Otherwise, proceed without soaking the beans first.) Cover the bottom of a large heavy pot or earthenware bean pot with olive oil, add the vegetables and herbs, and cook gently over medium heat for 10 minutes. Drain the beans and add to the pot along with enough water to cover by 2 inches. If you like, add a ham hock or other meat to the pot.
Step 2
Bring the beans to a boil, and let them boil for a minute or two. Lower the heat to a very gentle simmer and cook the beans until tender, 1 to 2 hours, depending on their variety and age. Add more hot water as needed during the cooking to keep the beans covered by at least an inch of water. When the beans are soft, add salt, taste after a few minutes, and add more salt if needed.
Step 3
Serve the beans moistened with the cooking broth and, if you like, a drizzle of olive oil. If not serving right away, let the beans cool completely in the broth, and refrigerate. They will keep for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator.
