Cannellini Beans with Rosemary, Thyme, and Lavender

Man, it's hard for me to come here to post lately.  I can't even claim insane busy-ness...or a family tragedy...or anything remotely close to anything earth-rocking.  So where have I been?  Well, I find when I'm online, I immediately go to Pinterest.  I pull up to my boards, take a seat, get comfy, and I don't seem to move for ages.  Seriously, I'm addicted.  So if you're missing me here (ha!), then do head over there and say hi!

But I've finally broken free for a bit to stop by and share this gorgeous recipe with you: Cannellini Beans with Rosemary, Thyme, and Lavender.  Cannellini beans are one of my favorites: they're creamy, rich, and ridiculously versatile.  I love that you can mash them up with roasted garlic and olive oil and - bingo! - you have a satisfying crostini topping.  White beans with bacon?  Sublime.  White beans with thyme?  Perfect pairing.  A little sprinkling of crushed red pepper?  Even better.  In a soup?  Of course.  Pureed?  Yep.  I've even been known to eat them with breakfast.  I'm beginning to sound like Bubba in Forrest Gump, aren't I? 

And the best thing?  For me?  Is that they come in a can!  I know purists and cooks more advanced (or snobby) than I am will sniff at how easy it is to soak dried beans overnight, etc, and blah, blah.  But, you know, some things are just quicker from a can.  Easy as that.  If I can take this shortcut, then I'm taking it.  There are many, many other places where I don't cut corners when I'm cooking; opening a can of cannellini beans is practically a gift to myself.

I thought I'd tried damn-near every preparation - it seemed that way - so I was particularly excited when I read this one in one of my new favorite cookbooks, The Improvisational Cook by Sally Schneider.  I have to confess that I've never used lavender in a recipe before so I was completely intrigued.  Sally Schneider has a note before the recipe that has some serving suggestions: "[these beans] make a fine little meal on their own, with some shavings of Parmigiano, aged goat cheese, or ricotta salata [...] They are also a classic accompaniment to grilled or roasted lamb."  I'm not a big lamb fan so we just served the beans on their own, but feel free to give the pairing a try yourself!

And - bonus! - this is a one-pan recipe!

CANNELLINI BEANS WITH ROSEMARY, THYME, AND LAVENDER
Inspired by Sally Schneider's The Improvisational Cook


Serves 4-6


2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1/2 cup shallots, thinly sliced
1 1/4 teaspoons fresh rosemary, minced
1 1/4 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
Pinch of dried lavender
4 cups cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (about 2 cans)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice


1. Combine olive oil and shallots in a large (12-inch) heavy skillet.  Cook, covered, over moderate heat until the shallots are soft and golden, about 5 minutes.  


2. Stir in rosemary, thyme, and a pinch of dried lavender (note: careful on that pinch - lavender is very potent!).  Saute, stirring, for 1 minute.


3. Add beans and 1/3 cup water to the pan.  Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 5 minutes.  Add lemon juice.  Adjust the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as needed.  Spoon the beans into 4 bowls.  Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over each serving.  If desired, serve with grilled baguette slices.


LAVENDER NOTE: Dried lavender wasn't easy to find. I ultimately found it at the Union Square Greenmarket.  You can order it online at Lavender By The Bay (the same sellers at Union Square).


WINE NOTE: I paired this with the Cupcake Pinot Noir, which you can get at Trader Joe's.  The beans brought out all the berry in the Pinot Noir - very nice.


NOTE ON KID-FRIENDLINESS: I know, I know.  I haven't made many kid-friendly meals lately.  This was served on an "Adult Dinner"night after Bug had gone to bed.  She won't touch cannellini beans.  


Eat, drink, and look for new ways to dress up old favorites.

Urban Herb Gardens

When we moved to Manhattan from Queens in March, we had to give up our lovely balcony.  Aside from sunbathing and dancing on it, I also grew herbs in planters.  Now, I'm not a big outdoorsy gal and I'm perfectly happy living in a concrete jungle, thank you...but, nevertheless, growing herbs just made me feel in touch with something simpler and sweeter, you know?

I told you all about my garlic chives before but, for those of you who don't know the story, it involved me transplanting the chives in my pajamas, barefoot, at midnight before Moving Day because I just had to take them with me (this is the third year that they've grown back...the same plant).  Well, the chives have thrived in our living room window and I've been enjoying them immensely.
 

 So I decided to take it a step further.  A couple of weeks ago, we were at the Union Square Greenmarket and the Oak Grove Plantation stand had herbs galore on display - Bug and I couldn't stop sticking our noses into all the plants.  I felt sad about our lack of a balcony until I saw this:

Hmm...I asked Adam, "Do you think we can just put these on the radiator in front of our living room window?"  And being the adventurous guy he is, Adam said, "Well, we won't know until we've tried."

So here's what I loooove about these herb planters: you can order them with any combination of four herbs that you want.  It cost me $22...which isn't cheap.  But I was able to fill it out with what I wanted: lemon thyme, rosemary, and a double order of sweet basil.  Do you have any idea how much this saves me in the long run????  When I buy cut herbs at the market, it'll cost me anywhere from $3-$5 per bunch.  And what if I need a bunch of rosemary and a bunch of basil?  That can easily cost me almost $10.  For only one week of herbs!  Believe me, this planter will pay me back in dividends by the time this summer is over.  Not to mention that they look positively lovely in my window:

And we loved them so much and it went so well that Bug bought herself a French lavender plant last weekend (with her own allowance - there's hope for the girl yet!):

Eat, drink, and don't let a lack of outdoor space stop you!