Braising a can of beans in olive oil with an aromatic like garlic or an herb sprig makes them ultra creamy and removes any tinned flavor from the can.
The silky beans can be served as a quick and easy meatless main dish, as a side next to roast chicken, or even tossed with pasta.
While I enjoy the reward that comes from slowly simmering dried beans until they’re perfectly tender and swimming in a savory broth, the process requires time and foresight, both of which I don’t always have. What I always have are plenty of canned beans.
And while it's hard to beat the taste and texture of beans cooked from dried, you can come dangerously close by braising canned beans in olive oil. The grassy oil soaks into the beans to make them ultra creamy while also ridding them of any lingering tinned flavor from the can. They become soft, silky, and a meatless meal in itself when paired with crusty bread on the side. It’s a quick trick I turn to regularly that transforms the humble staple into a comforting meatless main or hearty side.
My favorite way to enjoy these beans is at the center of a cozy meatless dinner. I bring the whole casserole dish to the table and serve it family-style with slices of thick toast so that everyone can scoop the oily beans onto the bread.
Paired with a green salad, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal that I barely lifted a finger to make. The beans can also be served alongside roast chicken or grilled steak, used as a bed for fish or roasted vegetables, or even tossed with pasta.
- Swap the garlic with sliced shallot or onion, use dried herbs instead of fresh, and try other citrus or vinegar like lime, balsamic vinegar, or sherry vinegar.
- Stir in some tomato paste, harissa, pesto, curry paste, or chipotle in adobo before braising.
- Add a Parmesan rind, thinly sliced lemon, a can of diced tomatoes, or a splash of coconut milk.
- Rummage through your spice cabinet and sprinkle in spices and spice blends like cumin, za’atar, smoked paprika, chili powder, red pepper flakes, herbes de Provence, or garam masala.