Tuscan Beans In Summery Tomato Ragù

Serves: 2

Graciela O'Reilly

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

41

Spice

48

Sweetness

56

Sourness

41

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 tsp

Sugar

Directions:

1

Bake, covered tightly with foil, until liquid is reduced and beans are saucy but not soupy, 25 to 30 minutes

2

Soak beans in water to cover by 2 inches overnight (8 hours) or quick-soak (see cooks' note, below), then drain

3

Cover beans with water by 2 inches in a 5-to 6-quart pot

4

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and briskly simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and skimming foam, until beans are very tender, 40 to 50 minutes

5

Reserve 2 cups cooking water, then drain beans

6

Halve 1 cup tomatoes lengthwise and set aside

7

Pulse remaining tomatoes in a food processor until almost smooth

8

Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle

9

Cook onion, celery, and garlic in oil and 1 tablespoon butter with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a 12-inch heavy skillet, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes

10

Add tomato purée, thyme, sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and reserved 2 cups bean-cooking water and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes

11

Whisk in remaining tablespoon butter, then stir in beans

12

Transfer to a 3-quart shallow baking dish

13

Sprinkle evenly with cheese, then scatter tomato halves over top

14

Let stand, covered, 10 minutes before serving (beans will continue to absorb liquid)

15

Soak beans in water to cover by 2 inches overnight (8 hours) or quick-soak (see cooks' note, below), then drain

16

Cover beans with water by 2 inches in a 5-to 6-quart pot

17

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and briskly simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and skimming foam, until beans are very tender, 40 to 50 minutes

18

Reserve 2 cups cooking water, then drain beans

19

Halve 1 cup tomatoes lengthwise and set aside

20

Pulse remaining tomatoes in a food processor until almost smooth

21

Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle

22

Cook onion, celery, and garlic in oil and 1 tablespoon butter with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a 12-inch heavy skillet, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes

23

Add tomato purée, thyme, sugar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and reserved 2 cups bean-cooking water and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes

24

Whisk in remaining tablespoon butter, then stir in beans

25

Transfer to a 3-quart shallow baking dish

26

Sprinkle evenly with cheese, then scatter tomato halves over top

27

Bake, covered tightly with foil, until liquid is reduced and beans are saucy but not soupy, 25 to 30 minutes

28

Let stand, covered, 10 minutes before serving (beans will continue to absorb liquid)

29

What to drink: Avignonesi Rosso di Toscana '05 Avignonesi Rosso di Toscana '05