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white beans in a bowl

Recipe

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Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups dried white beans (preferably cannellini, rinsed and picked over)
  • cold water (to cover)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6-8 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 10-12 large fresh sage leaves
  • 2 large sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 large sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 15-20 whole black peppercorns
  • salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons high-quality extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Cover rinsed beans with 2-3 inches of water. Cover and set aside for at least 8 hours or overnight.  Don't want to wait 8 hours? Read notes below for quick soaking methods.
    3 cups dried white beans, cold water
  • Drain and rinse beans and transfer to a large stock pot or pressure cooker. Cover with 2-3 inches of cold water and add 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, bay leaves, fresh herbs, salt, and black peppercorns. 
    2 tablespoon olive oil, 6-8 cloves garlic, 2 bay leaves, 10-12 large fresh sage leaves, 2 large sprigs fresh thyme, 2 large sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 teaspoons salt, 15-20 whole black peppercorns
  • stovetop: Bring to a low boil for one minute over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. 

    Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 1½ hours or until beans are tender. Remove from heat and let beans sit in the pot with the cooking liquid for 15-20 minutes. Beans should be tender, but not mushy.
  • pressure cooker: Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes and allow pressure to release naturally. 
    Beans should be tender, but not mushy. 
  • Carefully drain beans, remove herbs and place into serving bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, if desired, and drizzle with high-quality olive oil to serve. Enjoy!
    salt and black pepper, 2 tablespoons high-quality extra virgin olive oil

Notes

Quick soak method: Put beans in water in a large stock pot, bring to a rapid boil over high heat for one minute, then remove from heat. Cover and set aside for at least one hour before draining.
No Soak pressure cooking method: If using a pressure cooker you can skip the soaking and increase the pressure cooking time to 25 minutes on high with a natural pressure release.