Cuisine: Beans

Tuscan Chickpea and Pasta Soup

This recipe for Tuscan Chickpea and Pasta Soup (Pasta e Ceci) is from Trattoria Bel Mi' in Colle di Val d'Elsa, Italy. It's absolutely delicious, though not so soupy. Serve it with a crisp green salad and crusty bread. By the way, I would have been fired from any food magazine for publishing a photo without cleaning the plate!

By Leslie Blythe

Brothy Sherried Pork Chops with Butter Beans and Almond Gremolata

Brothy Sherried Pork Chops with Butter Beans and Almond Gremolata is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal. Thick, bone-in pork chops are seasoned and seared before being braised. The chops are simmered slowly in a sherry and chicken stock, along with onions, rosemary, and bay leaf. This long simmer ensures the pork is very tender, often described as "nearly falling off the bone," and creates a rich, savory broth. Canned butter beans are added toward the end of the cooking process to warm through and soak up the flavors of the sherry-infused broth, adding a creamy texture to the dish. It’s topped with this bright Gremolata, which is a mix of finely chopped almonds, parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. It adds a crunch and nutty flavor, cutting through the richness of the pork and broth.

By Leslie Blythe

Parmesan Tomato Cannellini Bean Soup

I love this recipe for Parmesan Tomato Cannellini Bean Soup because it's so quick and easy. Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, have a nutty, earthy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.
My secret ingredients elevate this simple soup. I add a tablespoon of red wine vinegar to cut through the sweetness of the tomatoes and add a bright, acidic note. Another trick is to simmer the soup with a parmesan rind. It acts as a natural flavor bomb, giving the soup a deep, salty, and umami flavor. I always keep a bag of leftover rinds in my freezer to toss into soups and broths.

By Leslie Blythe

Divorce Salad

I have made several Marry Me recipes. My husband was a little upset by the title of this salad. One bite and he was raving and would probably marry me again. It's that good!

"Divorce Salad" refers to a specific type of salad, and its name often comes with a story. The most widely referenced "Divorce Salad" is a recipe that gained popularity for its meal-prep friendly qualities and was created by Emily Farris after her divorce as a way to prioritize self-care through food.

The idea behind this "Divorce Salad" is that it's easy to make, nourishing, and designed to be something you can enjoy when you need a simple, comforting meal, especially during a challenging time. It combines marinated cannellini beans, Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese and crispy fried onions.

By Leslie Blythe

Woolworth’s Frito Pie

A Cult Classic
I was watching The Best Thing I Ever Ate on the Food Network last night with my daughter, Zoe. One of the chef’s favorite things is Frito Pie. She was very intrigued. I remember eating it as a child. One of the best ways to eat it, however, is to pour the chili right into a mini bag of Fritos and top with cheese. This is a great thing to eat if you are out at a football game somewhere cold.

As to the origin, some say Frito Pie was invented at Woolworth’s in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Corporate lore at Frito-Lay, however, say that Daisy Dean Doolin, mother of the guy who first bought the rights to market Fritos in 1932, not only perfected her son’s product, but also made it into a dish as a way to help market the crispy fried corn chips.

By Leslie Blythe

Marry Me Butter Beans

Ever heard of Marry Me Chicken? It's an incredible Tuscan-inspired dish, bursting with the flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and basil. Here is a delicious vegetarian recipe for Marry Me Butter Beans. You'll be amazed at the depth of flavor this recipe delivers in just 15 minutes! Featuring butter beans enveloped in a creamy Tuscan-style sauce, these Marry Me Butter Beans are the ultimate quick comfort food. It comes together in one skillet. It's so delicious, it's rumored to make anyone who tastes it want to marry the chef!

By Leslie Blythe

Sunshine Hummus

If classic hummus has become a bit bland for your taste, Nigella Lawson's Sunshine Hummus is here to brighten things up! This vibrant recipe breaks away from the ordinary, infusing the traditional dip with the warm glow of turmeric, the smoky depth of sweet paprika, and a subtle kick from white pepper. These ingredients not only deliver a unique flavor profile but also give the hummus its stunning golden hue.
Enjoy it as a dip with sliced peppers and pita chips, or take a cue from Nigella herself and use it to elevate your sandwiches as a delightful alternative to mayonnaise. It's also utterly delicious simply spread on bread or crackers.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheesy Chile Crisp White Beans

Cheesy Chile Crisp White Beans are a simple, comforting, and flavorful dish that combines the creaminess of white beans with the spicy, textural kick of chili crisp and the richness of melted cheese. If you are looking for something quick, satisfying, and vegetarian-friendly, this is the answer! You can serve it with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for scooping, or or spoon it over rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce.

By Leslie Blythe

Bean Cassoulet – Slow-Cooker Meal Prep

Slow-cooker Meal Prep
Want to get ahead for the week without spending hours cooking? Prep all your meals with this simple freezer bag hack. Simply throw all your prepped ingredients into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Then when you are exhausted and don’t feel like cooking, pour the prepped meal into a slow-cooker and relax!
This Bean Cassoulet is a classic, hearty French stew that's perfect for a comforting meal. Most cassoulet recipes have sausage and meat, but this is a satisfying vegetarian version.

By Leslie Blythe

Hot Black-Eyed Pea Dip

For good luck and prosperity in the New Year, I always try to include Black-Eyed Peas in my celebrations. We could all use a little extra good fortune, right? This warm and cheesy Black-Eyed Pea Dip is a perfect party appetizer or snack, served with tortilla chips. It's loaded with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and a can of Rotel diced tomatoes and jalapeños for a spicy kick.

By Leslie Blythe