CANNELLINI BENAS RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring beans, head of garlic, sage, 3 Tbsp. oil, and 6 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat, add several generous pinches of salt and simmer gently until beans are creamy all the way through but skins are still intact, 35–45 minutes. Let cool.
• Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook crushed garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring, just until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Working in batches, add spinach, letting it wilt slightly before adding more, and cook, tossing often, until leaves are just wilted, about 5 minutes; season with salt.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer beans to skillet with spinach and cook, tossing gently, until beans are warmed through. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and ¼ cup bean cooking liquid and toss, adding more cooking liquid if needed, until coated (mixture should be saucy but not submerged in liquid; don’t cook too long or beans will get mushy). Taste and season with salt. Serve drizzled with oil.
• Do Ahead: Beans can be cooked 3 days ahead. Keep in cooking liquid; cover and chill.

Steps:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add garlic cloves and cook until lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes, then add pepper flakes and cook 1 minute longer. Add soaked beans, 6 cups of water, and parm rind (if using) to pot and bring up to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and let cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are cooked through, 25 to 35 minutes.  Meanwhile, make herb sauce: in the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine basil and parsley and blend until finely chopped. Add olive oil and blend until mixture is smooth, then transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon zest and juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper flakes. If used, remove parm rind from beans, and season to taste with salt. Transfer beans to serving bowl, spoon over herb sauce, and freshly grate parm over top, if using. Serve warm.