Greens & Beans

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For a food blogger, I’m not a very adventurous eater. I eat a lot of the same things over and over again. I eat a lot of omelets. I love making raw noodles in peanut sauce. And, when in doubt, I always go back to greens and beans.

It’s not as much of a recipe as a methodology: You take some greens and some beans, sauté flavor into them and boom! It’s a meal. And it doesn’t make you think too hard, which is always nice at the end of the day.

Greens & Beans

Ingredients(Makes 2 servings):

  • 1/2 an onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can beans, drained(I like cannellini)
  • 2 cups fresh OR 1 cup frozen greens, thawed(spinach, kale, etc.)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Butter(optional)

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in the garlic and onion and sauté for a few minutes until the onions translucent and garlic is crispy.

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Add in the greens and beans and mix them in with the garlic and onions. Add in the lemon, salt, and pepper and cook until heated through. Serve hot.

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Sometimes I’ll add an extra clove of garlic just because I can, you know, on the days when I don’t plan on having to speak to someone face to face. I love getting bites of crispy garlic through the dish.

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And then there’s butter. I don’t eat butter often, but a pat of Smör Icelandic butter(that’s the good butter Ina Garten’s always harping on about) really hits the spot, especially after it’s melted in.

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17 Responses to Greens & Beans
  1. VeggieGirl
    July 12, 2011 | 9:18 am

    Ina Garten knows her stuff, so no doubt that the butter makes a great addition to the delicious-looking dish.

  2. Natasja
    July 12, 2011 | 9:19 am

    It’s always nice to have some healthy “go-to-food” when life gets real busy… Being a Dane, I have to recommend Lurpak butter. Here’s a link to their website and a store locator http://lurpakusa.com/store-locator/

  3. corey @ Learning Patience
    July 12, 2011 | 9:39 am

    Love Ina – she is a bit heavy handed with the butter — it does taste sooo good though!

  4. Natalie S.
    July 12, 2011 | 9:42 am

    I just made a batch of my own version of “greens and beans” last night!!! Indian spices, steamed mustard greens, a can of tomatoes, and an onion are my “greens” base, and then after I blend them with a hand blender, I add lentils. I make a huge batch to have for lunch at work. 🙂

  5. Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
    July 12, 2011 | 9:51 am

    Greens and beans are a staple in my house, too. So good.

  6. Alicia
    July 12, 2011 | 10:14 am

    I loveee beans and greens!!

  7. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
    July 12, 2011 | 10:59 am

    This reminds me of my grandpa’s escarole and beans. Delicious 🙂

  8. Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    July 12, 2011 | 12:05 pm

    This sounds delicious! I just happen to have some kale and my Italian self always has beans in the pantry. I know what I’m having for lunch!

  9. jen
    July 12, 2011 | 12:50 pm

    hey evan i was just wondering… can you taste the lemon juice? i like using lemon in recipes but only if i can’t detect the lemon taste lol! let me know 🙂

    • Wannabe Chef
      July 12, 2011 | 1:08 pm

      I can’t taste the lemon, but you could also substitute an equal amount of white vinegar in instead.

  10. Kathleen @ Kat's Health Corner
    July 12, 2011 | 2:43 pm

    This looks AMAZING! 😀

  11. Madeline - Greens and Jeans
    July 12, 2011 | 3:44 pm

    Most importantly, the name of this dish is delightful.

  12. Nic
    July 12, 2011 | 5:30 pm

    Just seeing your picture makes me want to head to the kitchen. This is the ultra comfort food for me ( in the wintertime I serve it over polenta). I have to admit that I’ve never finished off the dish with a pat of butter, so next time I’ll indulge a bit and give it a try.

  13. Hannah
    July 12, 2011 | 7:08 pm

    Evan, I don’t like cannellini. I don’t. But I do love ‘most every other bean, so I reckon your recipe can be awesomepants regardless 😉

  14. danielle
    July 12, 2011 | 7:18 pm

    This looks great to me – I love beans and am always looking for new fun recipes. I will definitely be making this.

  15. Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    July 12, 2011 | 7:35 pm

    This looks like such a healthy and yummy meal! I would probably end up fattening it up with some parmesan cheese though 🙂

  16. Lora @cakeduchess
    July 12, 2011 | 7:49 pm

    This looks fantastic! I make beans like this all year round. Just bought some kale and was making this tomorrow. Love the butter at the end:)