This hearty, crumb-topped main dish is ideal for parties. It will serve six to eight people generously and still leave plenty to freeze in small portions for easy weeknight suppers. Using dried beans gives the dish superior texture and the beans a chance to soak up all the flavors of the garlic and herbs.
YIELD: SERVES 12
1½ lb. dried cannellini beans
6 sprigs plus 1½ Tbs. chopped fresh thyme, divided
3 sprigs plus 3 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley, divided
½ medium onion, unpeeled, plus 1 large onion, diced (2 cups)
3 whole cloves
1 medium fennel bulb, quartered and diced (2 cups)
12 cloves garlic (6 peeled and halved; 6 minced), divided
3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
2 cups diced carrots
1 tsp. white wine vinegar
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1½ cups fresh breadcrumbs
- Soak beans in large bowl of cold water overnight. Drain.
- Put beans in 6-qt. Dutch oven, and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Tie together thyme and parsley sprigs, and add to pot. Pierce onion half with cloves, and add to pot. Add fennel fronds and stalks to pot with 6 halved garlic cloves. Partially cover, and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 35 to 40 minutes, or until beans are just tender. Drain beans, and reserve cooking liquid. Discard herb bundles, onion, and fennel. Wipe out Dutch oven for next step.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add carrots and diced fennel, and season with salt, if desired. Cover, and cook 10 minutes, or until beginning to brown, stirring frequently. Add diced onion, season with salt (if desired), and cook, covered, 6 to 8 minutes, or until onion is soft and bottom of pan is browning, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic, and cook 1 minute, or until fragrant. Remove pot from heat, and stir in vinegar, using spatula to scrape up any browned bits of onion stuck to bottom of pot. Add beans, chopped thyme, 2 Tbs. chopped parsley, ½ cup Parmesan, and 1½ to 2 cups bean cooking liquid. (Liquid should come to about 1½ to 2 inches below top of beans; add more if necessary.) Stir well to combine.
- Combine breadcrumbs, remaining 1 Tbs. chopped parsley, and remaining ¼ cup Parmesan in small bowl. Drizzle remaining 1 Tbs. oil into crumb mixture, and combine to moisten breadcrumbs. Spread breadcrumb mixture over bean mixture. Bake gratin, uncovered, 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is browned and juices have bubbled down below surface, leaving brown rim around edge of crust. Cool at least 20 to 25 minutes to allow beans to finish absorbing juices. Serve warm.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Calories: 285
Protein: 17 g
Total Fat: 5 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 43 g
Cholesterol: 4 mg
Sodium: 150 mg
Fiber: 11 g
Sugar: 4 g
