Tuscan Beans in Summery Tomato Ragù
A hearty Italian dish featuring tender cannellini beans slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce with aromatics and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano. This rustic Tuscan preparation combines fresh grape tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables for a satisfying vegetarian main course.
Ingredients
- •1 pounds dried cannellini or Great Northern beans, picked over and rinsed
- •2 pints grape tomatoes
- •1 small onion
- •1 rib celery
- •3 cloves garlic
- •2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- •2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- •3 sprigs thyme
- •1 teaspoon sugar
- •½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- •1 loaf crusty bread
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Soak beans in water to cover by 2 inches overnight (8 hours) or quick-soak (see cooks' note, below), then drain.
480 min
- 2.
Cover beans with water by 2 inches in a 5-to 6-quart pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and briskly simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and skimming foam, until beans are very tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Reserve 2 cups cooking water, then drain beans.
50 min
- 3.
Halve 1 cup tomatoes lengthwise and set aside. Pulse remaining tomatoes in a food processor until almost smooth.
5 min
- 4.
Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.
10 min
- 5.
Cook onion, celery, and garlic in oil and 1 tablespoon butter with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a 12-inch heavy skillet, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add tomato purée, thyme, sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and reserved 2 cups bean-cooking water and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Whisk in remaining tablespoon butter, then stir in beans.
15 min
- 6.
Transfer to a 3-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with cheese, then scatter tomato halves over top. Bake, covered tightly with foil, until liquid is reduced and beans are saucy but not soupy, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes before serving (beans will continue to absorb liquid).
40 min
- 7.
Avignonesi Rosso di Toscana '05
