Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Sausage and White Bean Stew


From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Our day, which began with a bell clear opal sky, had by midmorning lost all sense of which season gravitational rotation intended it to honor. Temperatures plummeted, than came sheets of rain that were followed by a volley of hail that beat the daylights out of any fruits trees that were still in bloom. A dinner of soup and salad, planned while the sun was in ascendance, seemed perfect for a temperate day, but once the hail began to bounce and beat tattoo, it was pretty obvious that menu needed to be revisited. Last month's issue of Bon Appetit magazine had a recipe for a sausage and bean stew that sounded delicious. It had the added virtue of being very easy to make and this was a perfect day to give it a try. While I didn't have all the ingredients the recipe call for, I did have workable substitutes and set to work with what I had on hand. I had a wonderful bean stew within 45 minutes as well as a recipe that effortlessly earned a place in my permanent rotation. I hope you will give this dish a try. It is less heavy than a true winter stew but it is substantial and great for cusp days that demand a bit more than standard spring fare. Here is how the stew is made.


Sausage and White Bean Stew...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Bon Appetit magazine

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 pound fresh Italian sausage links
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 sprig thyme
2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern or cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
5 ounces baby spinach (about 10 cups)
Smoked paprika (optional)

Directions:
1) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 15-20 minutes. Transfer sausage to a plate.
2) Reduce heat to medium. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet. Add onion, garlic, and thyme sprig. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 5-8 minutes. Add beans and broth and cook, crushing a few beans with the back of a spoon to thicken sauce, until slightly thickened, 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in apple cider vinegar. Add spinach by handfuls and cook just until wilted, about 2 minutes.
3) Slice sausage and fold into stew; add water to thin, if desired. Divide stew among bowls; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Yield: 4 servings.






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20 comments :

theNali said...

Oh nice. I had frozen some leftover navy beans and was wondering what to do with it. This will be perfect for our cool rainy day in mid MO. Thanks.

theNali said...

Oh nice. I had frozen some leftover navy beans and was wondering what to do with it. This will be perfect for our cool rainy day in mid-MO.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yum, and I bet it is even better the next day.

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Hello Maria,
questo è un piatto che voglio provare a cucinare questa sera.
By Myriam :)

Alicia Foodycat said...

This is exactly the sort of dish I love!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

This looks so delicious and perfect on a winters day!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Kim said...

You are right, this is a lovely dish! It looks perfect!

Tricia @ Saving room for dessert said...

I love bean soups - any kind - any time. I bet the sausage really does add loads of flavor. Thanks for the reminder about Google Reader - I need to take care of that!

Unknown said...

Funny, I posted a salad recipe today as we've had such beautifully warm weather!! Talk about complete opposites :) With that said... I am definitely wishing it was a bit cooler here so I would crave more comforting things like this stew. It looks and sounds delicious!

Pondside said...

When I read the title of your post I thought 'I don't like white beans' but then I thought 'Mary's version might pique my interest in trying'. I read it and it certainly sounds tasty!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Sounds perfect to warm you up and chase the bad weather away!

PlumGaga said...

Ah, Oregon's microclimates! I'm in West Linn and we had not a sign of hail nor heavy rain, though the day chilled as the afternoon progressed.

Dianne @ Sweet Journey Home said...

In Des Moines today, it is 43 degrees with pouring rain accompanied by thunder & lightning! I think this delicious looking stew will be perfect for dinner. Thank you for sharing...

Angie's Recipes said...

Sausage and beans...a great combo of flavours, Mary.

David said...

Mary, This Sausage and White Bean Stew is definitely my kind of comfort meal! Throw in a nice hunk of quality bread and I'd be go to go... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

A Paixão da Isa said...

gosto tanto de salsichas e feijao mas ja mt tempo que nao faço adorei este pratinho que esta super bom bje e uma feliz semana e tudo de bom

Pam said...

This looks like it would be a comforting and delicious meal for dinner.

Juliana said...

Very comforting dish Mary...love the creaminess of the white beans and the flavor of the sausages...
Hope you are having a wonderful week :)

Eileen said...

This looks like a great dish for a cool rainy day. I've pinned it to try.

Diane said...

I did a very similar dish last week and it was easy and so delicious. I will try yours as well and see if there is much difference in flavour. Take care and hope that had/or still having a wonderful holiday. Diane

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