White Bean And Grilled Vegetable Puree Recipes

WHITE BEAN PUREE ON ENDIVE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, broth, sugar, red pepper flakes and salt and black pepper to taste. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a brisk simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced by about half, about 8 minutes.
• Transfer to a food processor and pulse until almost smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the chives, mint, parsley and lemon zest and juice; season with salt and pepper.
• Trim the bottom 1/2 inch of the stem from the endives. Remove the large outer leaves and reserve for another use. Carefully separate the medium and small leaves, trimming the stem more as necessary. Reserve the baby leaves for another use.
• Spoon some of the bean puree onto the base of the medium and small leaves and garnish each with a small mint leaf. Arrange decoratively on a platter. Serve immediately.

GRILLED FETA AND PEPPERS ON PUREE OF WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Place beans in a bowl, cover with water by a few inches, and soak overnight. Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a saucepan, add the onions and saute until soft and just golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Drain the beans and add them to the saucepan. Cook over low heat until beans are very soft, adding more water if needed, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. (There should hardly be any liquid left when the beans are ready.)
• Meanwhile, roast bell peppers over a gas flame or on a tray under the broiler. Keep turning so the skin is evenly charred, without burning and drying out the flesh. Transfer charred peppers to a plastic bag, tie the top closed and let steam until cool to the touch, about 15 minutes. To peel peppers, pull off the charred skin by hand and then dip the peppers briefly in water to remove any blackened bits. (Do not peel the peppers under running water since that would wash away the flavorful juices.) Once peeled, cut away stems, seeds and veins, and slice peppers into strips.
• Heat a grill. In a small bowl, combine the oregano, olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper.
• Cut six 12-inch squares of aluminum foil. Divide pepper strips among center of foil squares. Arrange one feta square atop peppers, along with tomato slices, and drizzle reserved olive oil mixture over the top. Wrap foil packets securely and place on grill or under the broiler. Grill until packets are heated through, about 5 minutes.
• When beans are ready, mash them with the back of a spoon to form a paste, or place in a blender and process until smooth. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season with the lemon juice, sugar, and salt and pepper.
• Spoon bean puree onto individual plates, and use a spatula to slip roasted peppers, feta and tomatoes off of foil and onto puree. Drizzle with olive oil, garnish with Kalamata olives, and serve with Retsina.

WHITE BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• 1. Soak the beans overnight. Or place beans in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and set aside, covered, for 1 hour.
• 2. Drain the beans; transfer to a 2-quart pot with the diced onion, celery, carrot, smashed garlic, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, 5 cups of broth, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat; simmer until beans are very tender, about 90 minutes. If the mixture becomes dry, add some of the remaining broth.
• 3. Drain the beans; discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Warm the beans in a pan over medium heat. Add the cream, thyme leaves, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let simmer. Cook until the cream is reduced and is almost dry on the beans, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• 4. Puree the beans in a food processor, adding a few drops of oil. Adjust seasonings.

WHITE BEAN PURéE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add bacon; sauté until brown, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add carrot, onion and rosemary; sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add cannellini and broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until almost all liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Puree mixture in processor. Return to saucepan. Season with salt and pepper.