Ultimate Great Northern Beans Recipes

ULTIMATE GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

Steps:

• Soak the beans in cold water overnight. Make sure that there is twice as much water as beans because they will swell up.
• In a large cooking pot, pour in the cooking oil and toss in the smoked jowl pieces. Stir and allow them to sizzle over medium heat for 5 or 6 minutes. After they brown a bit, deglaze the pot with about 4 ounces of the chicken broth.
• Add the onion and allow to simmer until the onion is tender, stirring often.
• Rinse the beans in fresh water a final time and, after draining, add them, plus all the remaining ingredients into the pot. This should include the 48 ounces of water listed in the ingredients.
• Boil, covered, over low heat until beans are tender, stirring occasionally (about 2-3 hours).
• Serve with cornbread, fried potatoes, eggs and biscuits.
• If you wish, you can use chunks of ham or bacon instead of pork jowl.

GREAT NORTHERN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir carrots and celery into the onion mixture. Pour vegetable broth into the stockpot; add potato, bay leaves, basil, sea salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook at a simmer until the vegetables are beginning to soften, about 20 minutes.
• Stir beans into the soup; continue simmering until the beans are hot and tender, about 20 minutes more.

BEST GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

Steps:

• Sweat onions and garlic in butter and olive until softened on low heat. Add beans and chicken stock until heated through. Add wine and bring mixture to a boil reducing heat to low after most of the wine vapor has dissipated. Add sour cream and parsley then stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper. Serve

BEANS MARBELLA

Steps:

• Start the beans: Rinse the beans then add them to a large, heavy pot and cover with enough cool water to generously immerse (about 12 cups). Add ¼ cup olive oil, the bay leaves, oregano and 1 teaspoon salt, then bring to a boil over high heat. Once the liquid comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beans are very tender, 1½ to 2 hours. Add extra water by the cupful as needed to keep the beans immersed.
• Prepare the potatoes: Heat the oven to 375 degrees. On a large sheet pan, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast, stirring once about halfway through, until the potatoes are golden-brown and tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside.
• Finish the beans: In a large, deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until soft and fragrant. As soon as the edges of the garlic start to color, add the red wine and simmer until the wine is reduced by half, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked beans (you should have about 7 cups) to the reduced wine in the skillet, then add about 2 cups of their cooking liquid - you want just enough to mostly cover the beans. Add the olives, prunes and another ¼ cup olive oil, and simmer over medium, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the liquid thickens slightly to form a sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Finish the potatoes: In a medium bowl, combine the minced shallot with the red wine vinegar. Add the potatoes, capers and parsley, and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Tip the potatoes on top of the beans, drizzle with olive oil and serve.