Yesterday, after the big blizzard of 2016, I was delighted to look at the photos my friends posted to Facebook -- their kids sledding or playing in the snow, all wrapped up in layers of sweaters and parkas and boots and other winter gear.
But I -- was snug inside. Warm. Enjoying the thick, white, beautiful fluff from inside.
My kids are grown. But I do remember the days when they were young and wanted to go outside for snow fun. I'd get the sweaters on. The snowsuits. Hats, scarves, gloves, boots.
Of course then one of them would have to pee and off everything would come off. Then the re-do.
Those days are over. It's my daughters' turn to do that now.
I can be inside. Warm. Cooking. Enjoying the lazy day.
I knew Sunday would be one of those stay-at-home days, so, in preparation I had soaked some beans overnight on Saturday, then cooked them for just under an hour in the morning. That meant that when it was dinnertime I could make a quick, easy dish to go with the chicken I was roasting for dinner.
This is the dish we ate. It was a perfect end to a perfectly warm and comfy day. Inside.
You can make this dish with canned white beans of course. I use canned beans often. But the texture of homemade cooked white beans if so much better -- firmer, meatier, less mealy -- that I highly recommend them for when you have the time to prepare them ahead (they'll keep in your fridge for several days). Either way, this is a quick and easy side dish for most dinners. And a good choice for a meatless Monday too.
Sauteed White Beans and Tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 large clove garlic, chopped
- 2 cups cooked white beans (or use one 15-ounce can beans, rinsed and drained)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, chives, or a mixture of herbs
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- salt to taste
Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook briefly. Add the beans, parsley, herbs and red chili flakes and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened and the ingredients are hot. Salt to taste.
Makes 4 servings