Comments on: four cool things plus white bean stew

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:10:42 +0000

Just found your blog and I love it.
I did just what Brooklynite did, and I added four chopped anchovies to the onion garlic mixture. They add unbelievable flavor, and no one would guess they were in the end result.
I also use a pressure cooker, and bean cooking is a dream. Thirty minutes from start to finish. I add water, whole onion, garlic, bay leaves and the end of prosciutto to the raw beans. After the beans cook, I separate them from the broth to stop the cooking process. If I’m making a soup, I keep them everything together,removing the prosciutto and bay, and add previously sauteed vegetables to the pot.

By: Kris

Kris — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:12:07 +0000

I just made this thanks to it popping up on the ‘one year ago’ feature. As you suggested, I gave it a little help in the spice department and it turned out great. I added half a white onion I had lying around and doubled the garlic, then reduced a bit of white wine in the onion/garlic mix before adding the tomatoes. I also added some Spanish paprika, ground cayenne and thyme. Very, very yummy and hearty.

And I second Brenda’s bean liquor comment! It thickens the soup/stew up nicely, too.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:10:47 +0000

One thing I’ve discovered with good beans–use the bean liquor (the liquid left after your beans are cooked) as the liquid in your soup,especially if you cooked them with a mirepoix; otherwise you’re throwing a lot of great flavor down the drain. Bet some fresh lemon juice added near the end of cooking would perk it up , or maybe boiled cider.

By: cs

cs — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:36:39 +0000

I used this recipe as a base line and incorporated many suggestions. Starting with Rancho Gordo beans how can one go wrong? I did use pancetta rather than ham, added shallots, incorporated fire roasted tomatoes, a glug of white wine, smoked paprika, and lots of red pepper flakes. I used spinach but may try romaine, escarole or arugula next time. Very yummy!

By: brooklynite

brooklynite — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 00:30:25 +0000

Just made this and it was awesome with: 2 glugs of white wine after adding tomatoes, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and lots of red pepper flakes. It had a sweet spicy roundness that was awesome with some peasant bread toasted with some paremsean reggiano. Perfect way to use the leftover ham.

By: slong

slong — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:34:50 +0000

Just made this. It was awesome. I used CANNED white northern beans AND butter beans (2 12oz cans), doubled the garlic, and used roasted diced tomatoes. I threw in leftover chicken (kabobs) and let the whole thing simmer for about an hour. My partner is going bonkers over it! Thanks for the great recipe, and the inspiration to mess around with it!

By: Cat

Cat — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:18:37 +0000

please please please tell me those beans come in a jar… cuz that label is killing me.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:02:05 +0000

So, I made this stew over the weekend and it was fantastic. I’m vegetarian, so I substituted vegetable stock for the chicken broth, upped the garlic and the peppers, and added a packet (about 12 oz.) of vegetarian chorizo sausage (usually available in the veggie food section.) I also added a good glug of balsamic vinegar, and due to my laziness, used pre-toasted toasts from a cheese and bread store for croutons, rather than making my own. It was AMAZING and even better the next day. Definite kick from the sausage, but the beans really softened it a bit and it was just yummy. I served it at a party and everyone raved!

By: JUDIE

JUDIE — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:56:11 +0000

Can’t wait to try this recipe. I just found Rancho Gordo a few months ago & have already had 3 shipments! They are positively addictive. I used to get similar beans when I lived in the city from Dean& DeLuca. Comparing RG’s beans to regular store ones is like comparing Mueller’s spaghetti to fresh made! Be sure to go to Steve’s blog from RG-it’s great, as is his video on how to cook beans. Am awaiting my 1st order of dried corn. Don’t ask what I’m going to do with it-don’t know yet. One thing I’m sure of though, is if RG says it’s good-it is! My favorite bean is the yellow- eye, reminds me of when I was a kid & would come home from school to a bowl of homemade bean soup.

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:07:02 +0000

I make a stew like this, but the main thing that I think makes it what it is is adding a couple of bay leaves with the garlic as it is cooking and then chucking in an onion stuck with a few cloves. Bay leaves!