[beachgal]

We made this last night and it was to die for! We got some Celeriac from our CSA and this was a fun way to use it. I know it uses butter, but it's only 4 T for what turned out to be a very generous 6 servings. Super yummy and easy, especially if you do the first step with the beans when you have a free moment and then toss them in the fridge, like I did. They kept fine in the fridge for two days.

White Bean-and-Vegetable Stew in Red Wine Sauce
From Cooking Light

I've taken liberties with a French recipe, expanding it into a hearty winter bean-and-vegtatable stew. Cannellini or plump white Aztec beans make a dramatic, handsome dish. While olive oil is always spelndid with beans, butter gives this dish its silky texture.

2 cups dried cannellini or other white beans (about 12 ounces)
1 onion, peeled
2 whole cloves
8 cups water
6 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced carrot
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
2 cups thinly sliced leeks
2 cups (1-inch) cubed chopped peeled celeriac (celery root) or 2 cups sliced celery
1 cup (2-inch-thick) sliced carrot
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
4 tablespoons chilled butter or stick margarine, divided
2/3 cup diced shallots
1 cup dry red wine


Sort and wash beans; place in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; bring to a boil, and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain beans, and discard soaking liquid. Return beans to pan.

Cut onion in half. Stud one onion half with cloves; dice remaining onion half. Add clove-studded onion, diced onion, 8 cups water, 1/4 cup parsley, 1/2 cup diced celery, and next 4 ingredients (diced celery through bay leaves) to beans; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. Discard clove-studded onion and bay leaves. Add leeks, celeriac, and sliced carrot; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until sliced carrot is tender. Drain bean mixture in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 1/2 cups liquid. Return bean mixture to pan. Stir in pepper and garlic.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, and saute 3 minutes. Add wine, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until liquid almost evaporates (about 8 minutes). Remove from heat. Cut 2 tablespoons butter into small pieces, and add wine mixture, stirring until well-blended. Gently stir butter mixture into bean mixture. Stir in reserved cooking liquid, and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped parsley.

Note: Celeriac (seh-LER-ay-ak), also called celery root, is a knobby, brown-skinned root vegetable that can be found in most markets from September through May. You can substitute regular celery if you prefer a milder flavor.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

CALORIES 343 (23% from fat); FAT 8.8g (sat 5.1g,mono 2.3g,poly 0.8g); IRON 5.1mg; CHOLESTEROL 21mg; CALCIUM 179mg; CARBOHYDRATE 54g; SODIUM 561mg; PROTEIN 15.6g; FIBER 27g

Cooking Light, JANUARY 1999