White Beans with Pancetta and Sage
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 4 servings
- Calories
- 440
- Total Fat
- 25
- Saturated Fat
- 6
- Carbohydrates
- 37
- Dietary Fiber
- 9
- Sugar
- 2
- Protein
- 17
- Cholesterol
- 19
- Sodium
- 242
- Total: 11 hr 15 min
- Prep: 15 min
- Inactive: 9 hr
- Cook: 2 hr
Ingredients
1/2 pound large dried white beans, such as corona beans
3 bay leaves
3 garlic cloves
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 pound thinly sliced pancetta
6 fresh sage leaves
Directions
- Put the dried beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak the beans overnight in the refrigerator.
- Drain the soaked beans, place them in a large pot and cover with fresh cold water. Put the beans over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Toss in the bay leaves and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 11/2 hours until tender. Drain the cooked beans and spread them out on a sheet pan to cool slightly.
- Put about 1/2 cup of flour in a shallow platter and season it with salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. Toss the beans in the seasoned flour to coat completely.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is hot, add the pancetta, fry for a couple of minutes to crisp it up. Toss in the sage leaves and fry for about 1 minute. Remove the pancetta and sage to some paper towels; now you have a flavor base. Shake off excess flour from the beans and put them in the pan in a single layer. Fry the beans for a good 10 minutes to form a golden crust on the outside of the beans, tossing to cook both sides.
- Return the pancetta and fried sage to the pan, stir everything together, and serve.