Beans And Greens
A hearty and flavorful bean and greens soup featuring escarole, garlic, pepperoni, and chicken broth, perfect for comforting meals with a touch of spice and savory depth.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Simmer escarole in water until cooked down.
- Drain the escarole.
- Sauté garlic in hot olive oil.
- Add chicken broth, sliced pepperoni, and cooked escarole. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add drained beans in the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Add crushed red pepper to taste.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more robust flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine while sautéing the garlic. If escarole is unavailable, you can substitute with kale or Swiss chard. To reduce sodium, opt for low-sodium chicken broth. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the dish, echoing the flavors found in Mediterranean recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is hearty enough to serve as a main course. Pair it with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It also goes well with grilled meats, such as Lemon Garlic Chicken Or Veal, for a delightful contrast in flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen as it sits. To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it appears too thick.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Beans And Greens contains roughly 368 calories, with 6g protein, 15g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (284% of the Daily Value) and vitamin A (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and protein. It also contributes 5g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh Great Northern beans. However, you'll need to soak and cook them beforehand to ensure they're tender and fully cooked before adding them to the dish.
What can I do if I don't have chicken broth?
If chicken broth isn't available, vegetable broth is a great substitute, maintaining the dish's depth of flavor. You could also use water, but consider enhancing it with additional seasonings.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the pepperoni and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You might also want to add extra vegetables for more texture and flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).