Stitt likes to take advantage of seasonal fresh beans, but he also makes this dish using dried beans such as cannellini, borlotti, and even giant limas. He often serves a mixture, simmering each variety separately, as cooking times differ.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Wash leek greens well in a bowl of cold water, then lift out and drain well. Tuck bay leaves and herb sprigs into leek greens and tie tightly in a bundle with string to make a bouquet garni.
Step 2
Bring water, bouquet garni, onion, and chile to a boil in a 5-quart heavy pot and simmer, partially covered, 20 minutes. Add beans and simmer gently, stirring occasionally and adding 1 tablespoon kosher salt toward end of cooking, until tender, about 25 minutes for fresh beans or 50 minutes to 1 1/4 hours for soaked dried. Discard bouquet garni, and discard onion and chile if desired.
Step 3
Just before serving, transfer beans with a slotted spoon to a dish and season with kosher salt. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with mint and thyme.
