Chef John's Beans and Greens

Beans and greens has it all: it's very easy and inexpensive to make; it's highly nutritious; it's soulful and comforting; and it can be served as a main course, side dish, soup, vegetable stew, or my personal favorite--as an appetizer. This is my new favorite home version, and uses delicious, beautiful escarole.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 203 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 head escarole, chopped
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
• 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini (white) beans, drained
• 1 anchovy filet

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until bubbling and sizzling, about 20 seconds. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until liquid is reduced by half, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes.

Step 2

Stir in beans; bring to a boil and cook until you can see the tops of the beans just below the surface of the liquid, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in oregano, lemon zest, and anchovy filet. Simmer for 3 minutes.

Step 3

Place escarole in bean mixture; reduce heat to low and stir until escarole wilts, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste; garnish with red pepper flakes and extra virgin olive oil.