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5 from 1 vote

Marry Me Butterbeans

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups / 265g dried butter beans
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 14 oz / 400g yellow onions, divided
  • 2 Tbsp. ghee
  • 2 tsp. fine sea salt, divided
  • 1 large leek chopped, whites and light green parts only
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp. chili flakes
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 3.5 oz. / 100g sun-dried tomatoes
  • a few grinds freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 cup / 250ml vegetable or chicken broth more as needed
  • 1 cup / 250ml table cream (18%) or half-and-half (10%)
  • ½ cup / 30g parmesan
  • a large handful dino kale leaves
  • 2 cups packed / 75g baby spinach
  • 1-2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
  • Serve with buttered sourdough toast more parmesan, and black pepper

Instructions

  • Soak beans overnight (or for 12 hours) in plenty of fresh, filtered water.
  • Drain and rinse well. Place the beans a large stockpot covered with a few inches of water. Cut one onion in half (no need to peel) and add it to the pot with the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cook covered for about an hour. Around the 45-minute mark, add one teaspoon of salt. Stir and let cook until tender. Drain, discarding the onion and bay leaf.
  • In a large saucepan or dutch oven, melt the ghee. Peel and dice the remaining onions and add them to the pot with about a half teaspoon of the remaining salt, stir to coat and cook until golden, about 7-10 minutes. Add the leek, a little more salt, and stir into the onions. Cook until wilted, add the garlic, stir well and cook for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the oregano, chilli flakes, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and black pepper. Cook for two minutes.
  • Pour in the broth, stir well to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer, add the cream, bring to a bare simmer, then turn off the heat, fold in the parmesan until melted through. Then add the butter beans, stir well to coat.
  • Lastly, fold in the kale and spinach, letting the residual heat wilt the greens. Stir in the lemon juice, adding it to taste.
  • To serve, divide amongst bowls, add a chunk of buttery toasted sourdough, and grate more parmesan over top with some cracked black pepper. Say thank you and enjoy.
Sarah Britton