White Bean Summer Squash And Tomato Ragout Recipes

WHITE BEAN RAGOUT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the onions, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Do not brown. Add the garlic and cook one minute more.
• Add the tomatoes, beans, chicken broth, tomato paste and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (I use about 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, but it depends on what type of beans you use; canned will have some salt already.) Bring to a simmer and cook until tomatoes are slightly softened but still hold their shape, 3-5 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Note that the sauce may have a strong vinegar flavor at first, but it will mellow out. Right before serving, stir in the fresh basil and mint. Transfer to serving dish, garnish with more fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

WHITE BEAN, SUMMER SQUASH AND TOMATO RAGOUT

Steps:

• Soak the beans if desired. I do not recommend soaking lima beans, as their skins detach too easily when you soak them. I usually do soak cannellinis. Cut the onion in half. Chop one half and set aside.
• Combine the beans, the onion half that isn't chopped, the 2 crushed garlic cloves and the bouquet garni in a large saucepan. Add 5 cups of water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer 1 hour. Add salt to taste and simmer for another hour, until the beans are tender. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning. Remove the onion and the bouquet garni and discard
• Meanwhile, in a large casserole or deep, wide skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring often, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and add the minced garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant, and add the summer squash. Turn up the heat slightly so that the squash begins to cook right away, and sauté until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and add the thyme and the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes have begun to break down. Turn the heat to medium, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often. The tomatoes should have cooked down and smell fragrant. Stir in the beans and their broth, bring to a simmer and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in the basil, taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot or warm, tossed with pasta, over grains, or as is.

SUMMER SQUASH AND WHITE BEAN SAUTE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes.
• Add zucchini, summer squash, oregano, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook, stirring once, until the vegetables are tender-crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in beans, tomatoes and vinegar; increase heat to medium and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in Parmesan.
• Serve with: Brown rice or bulgur.
• TIP: While we love the convenience of canned beans, they tend to be high in sodium. Give them a good rinse before adding to a recipe to rid them of some of their sodium (up to 35 percent) or opt for low-sodium or no-salt-added varieties. Or, if you have the time, cook your own beans from scratch.

SLOW COOKER SMOKY WHITE BEAN & SUMMER SQUASH SOUP WITH OPTIONAL ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Add the beans, tomatoes, squash, potato, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, a quick grind or two of black pepper (or a hefty pinch), water, and the Parmesan rind to the Crock Pot. Stir.
• Cook on low for 8 - 10 hours.
• Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Remove the Andouille sausage from the casing and brown in a medium saucepan. Using a spoon, remove grease from the pan.
• Add a little less than half of the soup - about 3 1/2 cups - to the saucepan with the sausage. Stir and, over medium heat, bring to a low boil. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Tear basil leaves over both batches and stir.
• Serve with additional basil leaves and shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.