Gigante Beans

Filed under Beans

Recipe courtesy Anne Burrell. Because of the soaking time, this is definitely a plan-ahead recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Gigante beans, or corona beans
  • 1 Onion, large, skin removed, root end left on, cut in half
  • 1 Carrot, large (or 2 small), peeled and halved
  • 2 rib Celery, broken in half
  • 3 clove Garlic
  • 1 bunch Thyme, bundle
  • 3 Bay leaf
  • 1 piece Bacon, slab bacon skin or prosciutto skin, or a couple slices of bacon
  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. Soak the beans in water overnight. (Quick soak if you forgot: cover the beans with at least 2 inches of water, bring to a boil, turn off the heat and let the pot cool down naturally, then continue as if soaked overnight.)
  2. Strain the beans from the soaking water. Put the beans in a large pot and cover generously with water. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaves and bacon skin.
  3. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer until all the beans are soft, about 1 hour, adding more water if it reduces too much. Test for doneness with the 5-bean test; beans don't all cook at the same rate, so bite 5 beans and if they are all soft they are done.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat. Season the water generously with salt and let sit for 15 minutes. Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and serve. If not using right away, store them in the refrigerator in their liquid.