Pinto Bean Sausage And Fennel Gratin Recipes

GREEN BEANS WITH SAUSAGE AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half the green beans and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue cooking until tender, 3 to 4 minutes; transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Add another 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining green beans; add to the baking sheet and wipe out the skillet.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the sausage to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to the baking sheet with the green beans. Add the red onion, fennel and thyme to the skillet, season with salt and cook, stirring, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Return the beans and sausage to the skillet and toss; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and top with fennel fronds.

PINTO BEAN, SAUSAGE, AND FENNEL GRATIN

Steps:

• In a kettle combine the beans with enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches and simmer them, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender. Drain the beans in a colander set over a large bowl and reserve the cooking liquid. In a large heavy skillet cook the sausage over moderate heat, stirring and breaking up any lumps, until it is cooked through and transfer it with a slotted spoon to a bowl. To the fat remaining in the skillet add the oil and in the fat cook the onion, the fennel, the bell pepper, the basil, the thyme, and salt and pepper to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until the vegetables are softened. Add the broth and simmer the mixture, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. In a blender or food processor purée 1 1/2 cups of the cooked beans with 1 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Add the purée to the vegetable mixture with the remaining cooked beans, the sausage, the artichoke hearts, the parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and transfer the mixture to a buttered 4-quart gratin dish, 15 by 10 by 2 inches. In a small bowl stir together the bread crumbs and the Parmesan and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the gratin. Dot the gratin with the butter and bake it in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden.
• To quick-soak dried beans:
• In a colander rinse the beans under cold water and discard any discolored ones. In a kettle combine the beans with enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches, bring the water to a boil, and boil the beans for 2 minutes. Remove the kettle from the heat and let the beans soak, for 1 hour.

FENNEL GRATIN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and put a pan of salted water on to boil. Trim the fennel tops, then cut into wedges. Boil for 5-6 mins, then drain well. Arrange in an ovenproof dish, season and sprinkle with nutmeg. Stir the garlic into the cream and pour over the fennel. Top with the Parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until golden.