Melissa Hemsley’s Quick Leeky Beans
Melissa Hemsley's quick, budget-friendly leeky beans on toast will transform a humble tin of beans into something utterly delicious in just twenty minutes.
From the book
Feel Good: Quick and Easy Recipes for Comfort and Joy
Nourishing and flavourful recipes to make you feel good
Fast and simple ideas for every occasion
From midweek meals to celebrations, breakfasts to desserts
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Introduction
A humble tin of cooked beans is speedily transformed into a very delicious hearty dish that I eat as often for brunch as for dinner. When leeks are in season, I get so many in my weekly veg box and this is one of my go-to ways to enjoy them. You’ve probably got most of these ingredients in your cupboard or fridge already. The addition of artichokes and a sprinkling of cheese makes this extra special.
Ingredients
| 2 tbsp | ghee or extra-virgin olive oil |
| 1 | medium leek, finely sliced |
| 2 | garlic cloves, finely chopped |
| 400g tin of | white beans (such as butter beans), drained and rinsed |
| juice and grated zest of ¼ lemon | |
| 1 handful of | artichoke hearts (from a jar), roughly chopped |
| sea salt and black pepper | |
| To serve: | |
| 1 small handful of | fresh parsley or basil, roughly chopped |
| 1 handful of | grated Parmesan, Pecorino or Cheddar |
| A drizzle of | extra-virgin olive oil |
Method
In a medium frying pan, heat the ghee and fry the leek on a low–medium heat for 6 minutes, stirring from time to time and adding the garlic to cook during the final 2 minutes.
Add the beans, a good pinch of salt and pepper and fry for 3 minutes, adding a splash of water if needed.
Stir in the artichokes and lemon juice and zest and cook for a final minute, then taste for seasoning and scatter with the fresh herbs and the grated cheese and drizzle over a little olive oil.
Variation: Turn this into ‘braised leek soup’ by adding 300ml veg stock.
Tip: Save the darker green leaves of the leeks to use in casseroles, stocks or soups – wash the leeks really well, as they pick up a lot of dirt.
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