Flavorful Butter Beans with Leeks Recipe
A hearty and flavorful dish combining creamy cannellini beans with aromatic leeks, garlic, herbs, and melted cheeses, finished with a refreshing hint of lemon and fresh parsley. Perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal served alongside crispy bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Vegetables
- 1 can drained cannellini beans
- 1 leek, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 sprig rosemary, diced
- 1 sprig thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- Juice and zest of half a lemon
- Handful of parsley, finely chopped
Liquids and Fats
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
Cheeses
- 30g cheddar cheese
- 15g vegetarian pecorino cheese
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat to prevent burning. Add the finely sliced leeks, sliced garlic, sprig of thyme, and diced rosemary. Cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes until the leeks become soft and fragrant, ensuring the heat is low to avoid browning.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, letting it cook for an additional 2 minutes. This step adds depth to the flavor and picks up any caramelized bits at the bottom of the pan.
- Combine Beans and Stock: Add the drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir in the cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly into the mixture. Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes until the ingredients are thoroughly heated and well combined.
- Finish with Pecorino and Seasonings: Grate the vegetarian pecorino cheese over the mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste. Add the lemon juice and zest to brighten the dish, then scatter the fresh chopped parsley on top for freshness and color.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the beans immediately, ideally with slices of crispy bread on the side. The creamy, cheesy sauce pairs beautifully with the crunchy bread for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use low heat when sautéing leeks and garlic to prevent them from browning and maintain a delicate flavor.
- If white wine is not available, you can substitute with a splash of white grape juice or skip it, but it enhances depth of flavor significantly.
- Vegetarian pecorino cheese is used here to keep the dish suitable for vegetarians; regular pecorino can be substituted if not strictly vegetarian.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or even a light green salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: butter beans, cannellini beans, leeks, vegetarian beans recipe, cheesy beans, easy vegetarian meal, stovetop bean dish
