Pappardelle with Rosemary-Scented White Beans

A lovely, richly flavored pasta dish, creating satisfaction as a complete protein.  Strengthening beans join with the stamina of pasta to make you feel big and strong.  And easy?  Check it out.

Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredient List:

• extra virgin olive oil
• 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 red onions, halved, each half sliced into quarters
• sea salt
• grated zest of 1/2 lemon
• 2 cups cooked/canned white beans, cannellini, navy or great northern
• 1 tablespoon minced, fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 10 ounces whole wheat pappardelle
• 2 teaspoons sweet white miso
• 1 cup diced green beans
• juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
• 1 red bell pepper, roasted over an open flame, peeled, seeded, diced
• 2-3 sprigs fresh parsley, finely minced

Step By Step Instructions:

Place a small amount of oil, garlic and red onions in a deep skillet and turn heat to medium. When the onions begin to sizzle, add a pinch of salt and lemon zest and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add beans and fresh rosemary, a pinch of salt and the wine. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Season lightly with salt and continue to simmer.

While the beans cook, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain well, reserving 2/3 cup cooking liquid, but do not rinse.  

When the beans are quite soft, puree miso in reserved cooking liquid. Stir back into beans, with green beans. Simmer until beans are just green, but still crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Transfer pasta to a serving platter and serve garnished with diced pepper and minced parsley.  

Cook’s Tip: Cook the beans three parts water to one part beans for about an hour, with a small bay leaf to aid in tenderizing them or use canned organic beans that have been rinsed very well.

Cook’s Tip: If you prefer to cook this recipe without wine, simply substitute sparkling apple juice for the wine.