Braised Escarole With White Beans Recipe 455

Steps:

• Wash the escarole leaves well and shake off some of the water. Put the olive oil and garlic into a large nonreactive skillet and warm over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the escarole and cook briefly, turning the leaves as they begin to wilt. Add the beans and some of their cooking liquid or water, season with salt and pepper, and braise just until the beans are warmed through and the escarole is still bright and colorful, 3-5 minutes.

Steps:

• Discard the water from the soaked beans.
• In a large saucepot, render the pancetta. Add the beans and 5 cups of water. Simmer for 45 minutes. Strain the beans, reserve the liquid and discard the pancetta. Set aside.
• In the same pot, heat the olive oil. Saute all the vegetables until the onions are transparent.
• In a small bowl, dilute the tomato paste in the remaining 1/2 cup of water. Add to the vegetables. Add the spinach, the reserved bean liquid and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add the beans, season with salt and pepper. Reduce by 1/4. Reserve.
• Prepare the Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and toss gently. Reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the fish fillets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Place a medium saute pan over high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and saute the fish, skin side down for 2 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake until done, about 5 to 6 minutes. Do not turn the fish to ensure a crispy skin.
• Prepare the escarole. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil. Saute the escarole until wilted. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, lay out 4 large soup plates and ladle 6 ounces of the white bean ragout on each plate. Lay 2 spears of escarole cross-wise. With a metal spatula, carefully place a fillet, skin side up, on top of the escarole. Spoon tomato vinaigrette across the fillet. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan along with the onion, celery, carrot and garlic. Season with the salt and cook, stirring often for about 4 minutes, or until fragrant and soft. Add the red pepper flakes, if using, and cannellini beans and stir to combine.
• Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add the escarole and stir to wilt. Cook an additional 5 minutes. Serve topped with a drizzle of the remaining olive oil, fennel pollen and Parmigiano-Reggiano, if using.

Steps:

• Cut away and discard the white core of the escarole. Cut away and discard any tough stems. Cut the leaves crosswise in half. Drop the leaves in boiling water seasoned with a little salt. Let simmer 5 minutes. Drain well and press to extract moisture. Coarsely chop the greens.
• Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and add the garlic. Cook briefly and add the escarole, salt and pepper. Add the pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, about 4 minutes.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add onions to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the wine and broth and bring to a boil. Add the beans, escarole, salt, and pepper. Cover skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the escarole is completely wilted, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle Parmesan on top and serve.