White Bean Brandade Recipes

BRANDADE OF WHITE BEANS WITH ARTICHOKES AND TRUFFLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the beans and the garlic in a saucepan and cover with water. Place over medium heat and simmer until beans are tender, about 40 minutes, adding more water if necessary to keep the beans covered. Drain and place the beans in a food processor. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper and process until smooth.
• Place the cream in a bowl and whip with a whisk until the cream holds soft peaks. Fold the cream into the bean puree. Adjust seasoning if needed and refrigerate until cold and firm.
• Place the vinegar in a mixing bowl and whisk in the olive oil and truffle oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cut 4 of the artichoke hearts into wedges.
• To serve, place 1 whole artichoke heart in the center of each of 4 plates. Spoon the bean puree into the center of the artichoke hearts. Arrange the artichoke wedges around the plates. Season with salt and pepper. Stir the chopped truffle, if using, into the vinaigrette and spoon it over the dish. Garnish with the mache and sprinkle with chives. Serve cold.

WHITE BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• For the beans: Quarter the carrot, onion, and celery. In a 4-quart saucepan, sweat the vegetables and garlic with the bacon for 3 minutes. Add the beans and cover with twice the volume of chicken stock or cold water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 2 hours or until soft. Remove from heat and cool in liquid. Remove vegetables and bacon, and drain well. Makes about 1 quart of beans. For the brandade: Place the cooked beans, anchovies, Parmesan, garlic, and rosemary in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Add olive oil in a steady stream while blending. Season with salt and freshly cracked white pepper.

HARISSA AND WHITE BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat the oil over medium-high until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and diced jalapeño, and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions just start to soften in color and texture, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, season lightly with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the tomatoes have burst, 6 to 7 minutes, lowering the heat if the onions threaten to burn. Stir in the harissa, cumin, oregano and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the soy sauce, scraping up anything on the bottom of the pot, until combined, about 1 minute.
• Add the white beans and broth, season with salt, and raise the heat to bring it to a gentle boil. Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer, then cook until the broth thickens and the beans become soft and creamy, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom, about 12 to 15 minutes. Smash any remaining whole tomatoes against the side of the pot. Stir in the spinach in batches until wilted. Squeeze in the lime halves, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among bowls and top each with a spoonful of yogurt, followed by the avocado, cilantro, feta and jalapeño rounds. Serve with the lime wedges.

SMOKED FISH AND WHITE BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• In a food processor blend beans, fish, and garlic paste until smooth. With motor running add milk in a slow stream. Stir in thyme and salt to taste. Serve brandade with toasts or bell pepper strips.

CAULIFLOWER-AND-WHITE-BEAN BRANDADE

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, cauliflower, beans and garlic in a food processor and pulse until combined. With the motor running, drizzle in the oil. Transfer to a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with Cauliflower Fritters and Stilton Rouille (see recipes).