Beans and Chard with Toasted Bread Crumbs

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Author:

Olio Taibi

This dish works well with any large white bean or pictured here with meaty borlotti beans- sometimes called cranberry beans.

Image of Beans and Chard with Toasted Bread Crumbs

Ingredients

For Toasted Bread Crumbs

1/3 cup bread crumbs, homemade or panko
1 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil

For Beans and Chard

1 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
small pinch red pepper flake
1 bunch chard, stems chopped into 1/4" pieces, leaves sliced into 1/2" ribbons, keep stems separate from leaves
2 cups cooked beans along with 1/2 cup of liquid (see note)
1/2 TBS sherry vinegar

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Directions

For Toasted Bread Crumbs

Heat 1 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering.
Add the bread crumbs, and stir frequently until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and set aside.

For Beans and Chard

In a large skillet, heat 1 TBS Olio Taibi Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil over medium high heat.
Add garlic and red pepper flake, stir for about 30 seconds, do not allow garlic to brown.
Add chard stems, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.
Add chard leaves, and cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 2 minutes.
Add beans and liquid, stir to distribute chard, and lower heat to a gentle simmer until liquid has cooked off.
Remove from heat, stir in sherry vinegar, sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs on top, and serve warm.

Recipe Note

The better the beans you choose, the more flavorful this dish will be. If you have the time, cooking dried beans for this dish is worthwhile. To make this as pictured, source cranberry beans from Rancho Gordo, cook in preferred method for cooking beans with the following: thyme, sage, onion, garlic, and a parmesan rind. The flavorful liquid will add a lot to this dish.

If you don't have the time to cook dried beans, using canned beans (don't rinse them) and substituting chicken or vegetable stock for the bean liquid is a fine choice.

If you have leftovers, want to make this in advance, or want to make a double batch, this dish doubles easily and keeps beautifully in the fridge for a few days. However, reserve toasted bread crumbs in an air-tight container to keep them crispy. Reheat beans and chard gently, then add toasted bread crumbs right before serving.

Beans and Chard with Toasted Bread Crumbs

October 17, 2021

Make this as a side dish or serve as a vegetarian main with a fried egg on top. Our Nocellara Extra Virgin Olive Oil complements bean dishes perfectly, as the bold peppery notes bring out the layers of flavors in legumes.