from I Dream of Dinner by Ali Slagle.
This is so simple, quick and tasty that I'm a bit shocked. It's a riff on Alla Gricia which is pasta with meat, cheese and pepper or the even simpler "Cacio e pepe spaghetti" which is just cheese and fresh pepper on hot pasta. In this version, she replaces the pasta with beans and upgrades it with crunchy meat bits. Brown off a package of pre-diced pancetta, add the cans of drained cannellini (or Northern beans), a boatload of freshly ground black pepper and water, then finish off with grated Parmesan cheese.
15 minutes tops!
I just served some to my neighbor and her granddaughter who stopped by and said how great the house smelled. They both loved it.
Drain 2 15-oz cans of cannellini or Northern beans. No need to rinse.
Cut 4 oz of pancetta into 1/4" pieces. Brown in saucepan until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
Add 1.5 tsp black pepper (yes, that is correct)
Add beans and cook 2 minutes.
Smash 1/2 of the beans
Add 1.5 C water, scraping up bits from bottom and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Off heat, add 1/4 -1/2 C Parmesan or Pecorino.
The author says you can serve it with sauteed greens, crusty bread, orzo, ditalini or polenta. I went with toasted bread slices.
PS: I had a jar of caramelized onions in the refrigerator so I added 1/4 C as well--because who's gonna stop me.
This is so simple, quick and tasty that I'm a bit shocked. It's a riff on Alla Gricia which is pasta with meat, cheese and pepper or the even simpler "Cacio e pepe spaghetti" which is just cheese and fresh pepper on hot pasta. In this version, she replaces the pasta with beans and upgrades it with crunchy meat bits. Brown off a package of pre-diced pancetta, add the cans of drained cannellini (or Northern beans), a boatload of freshly ground black pepper and water, then finish off with grated Parmesan cheese.
15 minutes tops!
I just served some to my neighbor and her granddaughter who stopped by and said how great the house smelled. They both loved it.
Drain 2 15-oz cans of cannellini or Northern beans. No need to rinse.
Cut 4 oz of pancetta into 1/4" pieces. Brown in saucepan until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
Add 1.5 tsp black pepper (yes, that is correct)
Add beans and cook 2 minutes.
Smash 1/2 of the beans
Add 1.5 C water, scraping up bits from bottom and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Off heat, add 1/4 -1/2 C Parmesan or Pecorino.
The author says you can serve it with sauteed greens, crusty bread, orzo, ditalini or polenta. I went with toasted bread slices.
PS: I had a jar of caramelized onions in the refrigerator so I added 1/4 C as well--because who's gonna stop me.
Last edited: