Braised Beans and Spinach with Pecorino Romano Cheese
A simple bean recipe with incredible comfort food feel
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 3 ounces guanciale finely diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 leek trimed, sliced thin, washed
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- red pepper flakes to taste
- 8 ounces baby spinach washed
- 30 ounces cranberry beans 2 - 15 ounce cans
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 lemon cut in half, pits removed
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese more for serving
Instructions
- Prep the ingredients.
- Heat a medium sized soup pot over medium heat. When hot, add the guanciale and cook for about 5 minutes until golden but do not burn.3 ounces guanciale
- Add the onion and leek and saute for another 5 minutes.1 small yellow onion, 1 leek
- Add the garlic, rosemary and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes being sure to stir so the garlic doesn't burn.1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, 4 cloves garlic, red pepper flakes
- Add the spinach one handful at a time while stirring. When the first handful of spinach wilts, add another. Continue until all the spinch is in the pan and wilted.8 ounces baby spinach
- Add the carnberry beans and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a boil. As soon as the broth comes to a boil, lower heat and simmer for 8 minutes. While the broth is simmering add some freshly ground pepper.30 ounces cranberry beans, 2 cups chicken stock, salt and pepper
- Normally I would say season with salt too but the guanciale is very salty and you'll be adding Pecorino cheese, also very salty. So wait until the end when you taste and adjust seasoning. The Pecorino Romano cheese will also give the broth a wonderful creaminess.¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese
- To thicken the braise, use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to mash some of the beans. This is optional.
- Turn off the heat and add the juice from the lemon halves. Stir and add the Pecorino cheese. Stir again.1 lemon
- Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with salt and/or pepper if needed.salt and pepper
- Serve in bowls with some pepper flakes on the side for those who want to spice it up more.