THEHEARTY WHITE BEAN STEW
SERVES 6
“Getreadyformorecomfortlove,thistime
comingfromTuscany,Italy.I wasona food
researchtourlastyear(yes,let’scallthis
someholidaymarketresearch)in Italy.
Stoppingat a vineyardknownforitsChianti
Classico,wewereservedanamazingsoup
knownasa ribollita.It wasasif mynonna
wasin thekitchenwithfiveothernonnas
makingthisdelicious,loving,perfectly
texturedsoup.Fromthisevolvedan
appreciationfortheuseof theprobiotic-
richsourdoughasa thickener.Thisis a
techniqueI cameupwiththatI ammore
thanhappyforyoutoenjoy...Maythisstew
be the answer to a nonna hug this winter.”
2 tbsextravirgin olive oil, plus extra
toserve
3 garliccloves,crushed
1 onion,finelychopped
1 celerystalk,finelychopped
1 carrot,finelychopped
2 tspfennelseeds
4 thymesprigs,leavespicked
2 tspdriedoregano
2 bayleaves
2 tbs sherry vinegar
4 x 400gcanscannellinibeans(weused
WoolworthsMacro),drained, rinsed
6 cups(1.5L)chicken stock
1 parmesanrind(^1) / 2 bunchkale,stalksremoved,
roughlyshredded
1 slicesourdough, crusts removed,
finelytorn
Shavedparmesan and dried chilli flakes,
to serve
CROUTONS
50gunsaltedbutter
100gsourdough,crustsremoved,
torninto1cmpieces
1 tbsfinelychoppedflat-leafparsley,
plusextraleavestoserve
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Heatoilin a largesaucepanovermedium-
highheat.Addgarlic,onion,celeryand
carrot.Cook,stirring,for4-5minutes
or until onion is softened. Stir in the
fennelseedsandherbs,andcookfor
1-2minutes.Stirinthevinegar,beans,
stockandparmesanrind.Bringtotheboil,
reduceheattolowandsimmer,covered,
for35-40minutes,stirringoccasionally,
tointensifyflavourandreduceslightly.
Uncoverandstirin thekale.Remove
parmesanrindanddiscard.Add
sourdoughandsimmerfor8-10minutes
oruntilsoupis thickened.Seasontotaste
andadda littlemorevinegar,if desired.
Meanwhile,forthecroutons,heata
mediumfrypanoverhighheat.Add
butterandswirlin panfor 30 seconds
oruntilfoaming.Evenlysprinkleoverthe
breadcrumbswiththeparsleyandlemon
zest.Cook,tossingoften,for2-3minutes
oruntilcroutonsare golden and crisp.
Seasontotaste.
Dividestewamongservingbowlsand
topwithcroutons,extraparsleyleaves
andshavedparmesan.Drizzlewithoil and
scatter with chilli flakes to serve.
delicious.com.au 101
BALANCING ACT.