The humble bean, whether black, kidney, pinto, or chickpeas, can comfort on a chilly evening or refresh in a salad on a hot summer day: the possibilities are endless. And these are the bean-packed recipes we love and which, even better, are ultra-easy and quick to throw together.
Crisp And Sticky Kale And Butter Beans With Balsamic Vinegar
Delicious Magazine
A really good bean dish is all in the texture. This, with its crisped butter beans and sweet and sticky balsamic-glazed kale, is as good as it gets and would work beautifully as a delicious and healthy side to a roast or alone as a seriously tasty mid-week supper. Get the recipe.
White Bean Dip
Love & Lemons
Who needs shop-bought hummus? This alternative requires just four ingredients and five spare minutes – and a food processor certainly helps, although you could do things the old-fashioned way with a pestle and mortar if you’re so inclined. Simply chuck in the cannellini beans, lemon, olive oil and salt and then top with your favourite herbs, grab some pitta and dig straight in. Get the recipe.
Tomato & Broad Bean Orecchiette
Jamie Oliver
Orecchiette – or ‘little ears’ as it translates – has always been one of our favourite pastas, the inherent sweetness of the shape and name hard to resist. We love it all the more when served with tomato, broad beans, fresh basil and pecorino cheese, as demonstrated beautifully by Jamie Oliver with this summery, simple and sensationally good dish. Get the recipe.
Braised Courgettes And Cannellini Beans
Olive Magazine
A one-pot is always a winner in our books, minimising time, effort and, crucially, washing up. This is true hearty fare, pairing courgette and cannellini beans with the salty bite of the parmesan, the kick of the chilli and the zing of the lemon. A perfect dish to make for hungry friends – and to serve with some good, crusty bread. Get the recipe.
Butter Bean & Chorizo Stew
BBC Good Food
Finding food that the whole family will eat without spending a small fortune at the supermarket feels increasingly like a feat that one might require a magician’s hat (and skill) to conjure up. This butter bean and chorizo stew recipe from BBC Good Food ticks all the boxes, combining just four ingredients into a delicious pot. You could, of course, make the pesto yourself, which would add a little to the labour and the cost but provides added flavour and freshness. But, if you’re short on time, a jar will do just fine too. No judgement here nor, indeed, amongst real friends. Get the recipe.
By Nancy Alsop
March 2024
