Greens & Beans are fortifying, warm, simple and delicious. Comfort food at its finest!
The magic of food…
We live in Central New York, but tonight we’re dining in ‘Nonna’s kitchen’ on a large hand-crafted farm-table in a stunning villa which stands at the heart of an estate on a Tuscan hilltop.
That is what ‘Greens & Beans’ says to me.
Probably the greatest luxury that food affords us is the chance to escape to anyplace in the world, anytime we want, from the comforts of home.
This warm rustic earthy dish conjures up images of mothers and grandmothers making satisfying food using minimal ingredients.
Dishes like this that include escarole or iceberg lettuce aka greens, white northern beans, garlic, and olive oil make for meals that fall under the heading ‘vegetarian super foods’. Leafy greens and beans fall into this category, with olive oil and garlic not too far behind…
I’ve had this recipe tucked away for many many years. Long ago I took a cooking class with an instructor who was the chef of a local Italian restaurant. This eatery was quite the hotspot during my childhood so when I had the chance to learn some of their recipes and master dishes that were familiar and comforting, the kinds of meals we ate in my Italian home, I was all over it.
Greens & Beans makes for a great side-dish as well as entree. A great ‘go-to’ dish, it’s fortifying, cozy, simple and delicious. Once your greens are boiled, the rest is prepared in just one pan. It doesn’t get any easier.
Sure to please any hungry crowd, Greens & Beans is a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand! #MeatlessMonday
Buon Appetito!
Ciao!
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Greens & Beans
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 heads Escarole or Iceberg Lettuce (outer leaves only, thick stems removed)
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. garlic, chopped fine
- 1 (16 oz.) can white northern beans
- Cracked black pepper
- Grated Romano cheese
Instructions
- Wash and cut greens.
- Boil greens in salted water until almost limp, about 5 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
- In the meantime, heat the oil and garlic on low until garlic just begins to brown.
- Transfer greens to the frying pan containing the oil and garlic.
- Add the beans.
- Cook over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
- Add black pepper and cheese, to taste.
- Serve.
If you like cooking with greens…check these out:
Wilted Greens & Crispy Eggs with Gremolata and Hot Tomato Oil
Focaccia with Lemony Greens & Parmesan
Rigatoni with Greens, Gorgonzola & Walnuts
Baked Greens with a Crusty Crumb Topping
I love my greens!! And this sounds like a new, delish way to eat them! It’s so simple, I can have it at the table in no time :). And it’s wholesome and yummy!
Perfect weeknight fare! Thanks, friend!
This looks so good! That shot with the lettuces is so perfect I am craving a big bowl of this deliciousness right now thanks x
Thank you, Ruby! xo
I agree completely, Annie – totally my kind of comfort food. This one’s a must try for us!
You can’t miss with these flavors! Thanks, Marissa! XO
Beans and greens are a favorite in our house but I haven’t ever tried using iceberg lettuce…thanks for the inspiration.
Iceberg works beautifully!
This is such a great idea for a salad. So healthy and satisfying, too!
There’s nothing I don’t love about this dish! 🙂
Greens and beans…my kind of dish. Looks wonderful!
Thanks, Gayle! 🙂
Yum, yum, yummy yum-yum! For dinner, I’ll typically make baked chicken with some kind of healthy side dish. That said, I’m always on the lookout for awesome side dishes to cook. Your recipe is going on my meal planner! I adore beans, I can’t wait to try this!
Woohoooo! I think you’ll love it, Christina! Thank you! 🙂
Such lovely memories and a good simple salad. I’ve had Escarole once.. out of the garden of a friend. It’s so hard to find in stores around here. But oh it makes for an fabulous salad.. I love how you’ve paired it with beans. xo
A delicious combination of flavors…plus wilting the greens gets all the credit for the comfort! Thanks, dear! xo
Absolutely delightful dish Annie! I love white beans and often use them in soups or simply as a side dish, this is a winner recipe!
Throw in some wilted greens and you’ve got yourself a meal! Thanks, Milena!
I love simple healthy salads like this, Annie – will definitely be trying this soon!
You really can’t beat ’em! Thanks, Geraldine!!
This is how I love to eat–simple fresh ingredients combined to make something so delicious and satisfying. I’m going to try this one very soon!
And it’s more satisfying than you might think… I could eat all day! Thanks, Kelsie!
What a great repost! I started this Dr. Oz diet (well sort of) and it focuses on beans and plant based foods. This is so up my alley with what I ‘should’ be eating. (I may need to cut out the cake too).
No need to cut out cake when you balance with meals like this! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Wow, this is so simple and healthy. I think I need to start eating healthy, I will start taking recipes for your blog. Thank you 🙂 it really means a lot.
Why thank you, Claire! Enjoy!!
I missed this one the first time around Annie, so I’m so glad you reposted! This looks like such a great combo, and one I’d never thought of. Delish!
Nothing better than peasant food! Simple but so comforting and tasty! 🙂
Oh, I’m thrilled you updated this post, Annie, because I don’t remember seeing it the first time around! And this is totally calling my name!! Honestly, I could easily just eat this for dinner! Pinned! Cheers! Xo
This was literally one of the first posts I did so long ago! So happy you like, my friend! Thanks for the pin! XO
I love the name of this one – so catchy! I’m a big fan of beans in any form and this looks like a recipe that I could make a meal out of just this with some nice garlicy, crusty bread! Pinned! Cheers to a lovely week, my friend! XO
So maybe I just stood over the pan and ate it like it was my last meal… Maybe 😉 Have a great week, dear! XO
I’m loving this healthy and hearty dish! Simply perfect 🙂
And simply simple… Thanks, friend! 🙂
Ciao, Annie! It sounds wonderful! I’ve never tasted this before — could be because I grew up in the Midwest with no Italian families around. We had wilted lettuce — my mamma and papà loved bitter greens with just salt, pepper, olive oil and a touch of wine vinegar. I like the way you wilt the lettuce. This is a must make!!
I think you’ll love it, Marisa! Enjoy!
Ann – One of my all time favorite foods! Thanks for sharing your family recipe with us! Tracy
Thank you, Tracy! It’s an oldie but a goodie!
Annie,
Greens and Beans, the ultimate paisano (peasant) food. Your grandmothers would be proud!
Mmmmm…..now Mom and I have that recipe in our cravings corner and will most likely act on it soon.
Xoxo
Oh yes…fantastic! So easy – why don’t we think to make it more often? I could live on this! Thanks Pops! XO