Tuscan Bean Salad With Sage Recipes

COLORFUL TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until serving. Stir in basil. Serve with a slotted spoon.

TUSCAN BEANS WITH TUNA

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chopped sage and cook until the garlic just starts to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the beans (including the liquid from the cans) and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium high and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Add the kale and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale is tender and the liquid looks creamy, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, toss the tomatoes, celery, olives and roasted peppers in a medium bowl. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, then fry the sage leaves until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes; drain on paper towels. Reserve the oil.
• Break the tuna into large chunks and divide among shallow bowls. Spoon the bean mixture around the tuna and top with the olive salad and fried sage. Drizzle with the reserved sage oil and season with salt.

CANNELLINI BEANS WITH GARLIC AND SAGE

Steps:

• Place beans in large bowl. Cover with cold water (at least 6 cups) and let soak overnight.
• Drain beans. Place in heavy large pot. Add 8 cups room-temperature water, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, sage, and black peppercorns. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to mediumlow; simmer uncovered 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Mix in 1 teaspoon coarse salt. Continue to simmer until beans are tender, adding more water if needed to keep beans covered, about 30 minutes longer. Cool beans in liquid 1 hour.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer beans to serving bowl, reserving bean cooking liquid, if desired, but discarding garlic, sage, and peppercorns. Season beans to taste with pepper and more coarse salt. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve.

WARM TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the onion, green pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in tomato and seasonings; cook 3-4 minutes longer. Add beans; cook and stir until heated through.

TUSCAN BEAN SALAD WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve at room temperature.
• DRY BEANS DIRECTIONS: May use 1-1/4 cups dried cannellini beans or 1/2 pound great northern beans, soaked overnight.
• Drain soaked beans.
• Place beans and onion in a medium pot; cover with 2 quarts of water. Simmer 30 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Cook 30 minutes more or until tender but not mushy.
• Drain. Place in a large bowl and cool.
• When cool, stir in the remaining ingredients.
• Serve at room temperature.
• TIP: For those who don't like celery, use a vegetable peeler to remove the stringy bits on the back of the stalk. This makes the flavor milder and the texture more palatable.

TUSCAN WHITE BEANS WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Saute the onion, garlic, and carrots in the olive oil until the onions are translucent. Add in the sage, cook until aromatic.
• Add the can of tomatoes, heat through.
• Add the white beans, return to a simmer, and simmer as long as you like (the longer, the yummier, honestly!).
• Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice.
• This dish holds up well to slight modifications. I have put in a stalk of celery, diced, with the onions and carrots. I have added a little dried rosemary with the white beans. All quite tasty. For omnivores, this dish is delicious with a few shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic served on top.

WHITE BEAN, SAGE AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the beans in water to cover until tender (about 40 minutes). Drain, if necessary, and place in a large bowl.
• Combine the mustard, vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, mix well and pour the mixture over the beans while they are still hot. Toss and set aside.
• Chop the sage leaves and the tomatoes and add them to the salad with the onion. Mix and correct the seasoning.

TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the beans in water to cover overnight.
• Drain the beans and simmer in water to cover until tender (about 30 minutes).
• Combine the remaining ingredients and toss with the warm beans. Correct seasoning and add more olive oil if necessary. Serve at room temperature.