Easy and healthy… yet fancy and decadent; these Creamy Braised White Beans With Fresh Herbs are the side dish to end all side dishes.
Personally, I think beans get a bad rap. They’re texture is extremely versatile, they’re packed with protein, and their mild taste makes for the perfect canvas for any flavor palette. Still, too many people associate beans with Taco Bell type of food that sticks with you for days after… These Creamy Braised White Beans With Fresh Herbs are nothing of that sort; no, these beans are thickened only slightly with just a little mashing, flavored with some garlic, lemon, and herbs, and smoothed out with some stock and Parm… there’s truly nothing better!
I’ve been trying to incorporate more protein into my diet recently. That being said, I’m not big on that many varieties of meats, so chicken and fish can get kind of old. So, I opted to turn towards plant based protein. I’m a fan of tofu, but often forget to press it 30 minutes in advance (the key to making good tofu!) when I’m whipping up a quick lunch. The next food I thought of was chickpeas, just because they seem to be the trendiest of the “bean” category/ adored by vegetarians. But, to be honest, I really only like chickpeas when they’re roasted crispy or made into hummus…raw chickpeas just don’t do it for me. Again, roasting or turning them into hummus takes a long time, which I typically don’t have if I’m making something on a whim.
That’s where these Creamy Braised White Beans With Fresh Herbs come into play. They’re super easy, super quick, and make for the most delicious protein packed side. I even eat these as a main course sometimes too! Or even as the base or a topping in a bowl! They’re just that good!
how to serve…
You can really serve these Creamy Braised White Beans With Fresh Herbs up on any occasion. On your average weeknight, these pair wonderfully with a meat, poultry, or fish and a veggie or side salad. You could even fancy these up and serve them at a dinner party. They pair wonderfully with a sea bass or a salmon… and definitely would taste good with my Lemon Panko Crusted Grouper. Another great option is to make these beans the star of the show and serve them with some simple dressed greens for a vegetarian meal. So delicious and so easy!
Let me know what you think in the comments below! Enjoy!
Creamy Braised White Beans With Fresh Herbs
Course: Side DishDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes15
minutes20
minutesEasy and healthy… yet fancy and decadent; these Creamy Braised White Beans With Fresh Herbs are the side dish to end all side dishes.
Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
½ cup chicken or vegetable stock
¼ cup fresh chives, very finely chopped
¼ cup fresh cilantro, very finely chopped
½ cup fresh basil, very finely chopped
½ a small lemon, juiced
⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant. Toss in the beans.
- Mash about a quarter of the beans with the back of a fork or a potato masher. Most beans should still be intact. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add in the herbs, lemon, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use any type of white bean for this recipe!
- Pecorino Romano is a great substitution for Parmesan, but practically any cheese will work. You could also leave out the cheese.
- If you aren’t a cilantro person, I recommend using extra basil or chives. Parsley or mint would also work, but they would bring a different flavor to the dish.