Flavorful Butter Beans with Leeks Recipe
This flavorful Butter Beans with Leeks recipe is a comforting and hearty dish combining creamy cannellini beans, aromatic sautéed leeks, garlic, fresh herbs, and melted cheddar and pecorino cheeses. Enhanced with white wine, lemon zest, and fresh parsley, it offers a rich yet fresh flavor profile perfect for a satisfying vegetarian meal. Ready in under 40 minutes, this dish pairs excellently with crusty bread for a complete and delicious experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Cheese
- 1 can drained cannellini beans
- 30g cheddar cheese
- 15g vegetarian pecorino cheese
Aromatics and Herbs
- 1 leek
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 sprig thyme
- Handful of parsley, finely chopped
Liquids and Fats
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
Seasonings and Flavorings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- Juice and zest of half a lemon
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add butter to a saucepan and melt it over low heat to prevent burning. Once melted, add finely sliced leeks, sliced garlic, a sprig of thyme, and diced rosemary. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until the leeks are soft and fragrant, ensuring the heat remains low to avoid browning.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and let it cook for another 2 minutes to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavors with a depth of richness.
- Combine Beans and Stock: Add the drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly into the mixture. Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes until well combined and heated through.
- Finish with Pecorino and Seasonings: Grate the vegetarian pecorino cheese over the mixture. Add extra salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze in the lemon juice and add the zest to brighten the flavors. Finally, scatter the chopped parsley over the top for freshness and color.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the warm butter beans immediately, accompanied by slices of crispy bread on the side to soak up the creamy, cheesy sauce. Enjoy this flavorful and hearty vegetarian dish!
Notes
- Use a low heat when sautéing leeks to avoid burning and develop a sweet, mellow flavor.
- White wine can be substituted with vegetable broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic version.
- Ensure to drain and rinse the canned beans to reduce sodium content and improve texture.
- Adjust salt and pepper seasoning at the end to suit your taste preferences.
- This dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or garlic toast.
- Vegetarian pecorino can be replaced with grated Parmesan if vegetarian option is not needed.
Keywords: butter beans, leeks, vegetarian, cheddar cheese, pecorino, cannellini beans, white wine, creamy beans
