CREAMY TUSCAN WHITE BEANS
For the sun-dried tomatoes, in these Creamy Tuscan white beans, I used tomatoes in a foil pack instead of a jar of them packed in oil. If you can’t find these by all means, use the ones in the jar and drain them well, first using a strainer then lay them out on some paper towel. When I first made this recipe, I added spinach and feel free, but really, I’d prefer to eat the greens on the side in salad form. These beans are delicious served just with warm, buttered toast as I suggest in the recipe, and perhaps a salad if you’re feeling virtuous. Or, serve them spooned over some golden-crumbed chicken breasts with some lemon wedges and perhaps steamed broccoli florets or green beans.
Servings: 4
Calories: 317kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons crushed red chilies, more or less depending on heat tolerance
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes 14oz/400g
- 1/2 cup julienne sun-dried tomatoes drained well if they’re in oil
- 2 x 15 oz/425g cans cannellini beans, drained
- 1 cup heavy cream or 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 cup broth
- A good pinch sea salt & coarse-ground pepper
- Pinch of sugar, optional
- 1 cup finely grated parmesan 1 oz/30g, plus extra to serve
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped, plus extra to serve
- Toasted bread, to serve, optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil and garlic in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Cook the garlic slowly for 2 to 3 minutes or until fragrant and softened.
- Add the crushed red chilies and fresh tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until tomatoes are softened.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, beans, cream, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce is thickened somewhat or to your liking.
- Add the parmesan and basil. Stir to combine. Serve sprinkled with extra parmesan and basil leaves and bread to mop up the sauce, if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1421IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 2mg