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Caramelized Onion White Beans with Rosemary and Balsamic Recipe

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4.1 from 23 reviews

This comforting recipe features creamy white beans cooked with sweet, caramelized onions, infused with fragrant rosemary and tangy balsamic vinegar, finished with a splash of crème fraîche and a sprinkle of Pecorino cheese. Perfect served over crusty sourdough bread, it’s a flavorful vegetarian dish that is both hearty and elegant.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 white onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 x 400g tins of white beans, drained
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 sprigs rosemary, diced
  • 3 tbsp lighter crème fraîche
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 20g Pecorino cheese, grated
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Heat the butter and EVOO in a casserole dish over low heat. Add the thinly sliced white onion and cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring often, until the onions become soft and turn a deep golden brown. This slow cooking brings out their sweetness and forms the flavor base.
  2. Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for an additional 10 minutes to deepen the caramelized flavor and add a pleasant tang.
  3. Add Garlic and Rosemary: Stir in the minced garlic and diced rosemary, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, to infuse the dish with herbal and garlicky notes.
  4. Add and Crush Beans: Tip in the drained white beans and use the back of your spoon to gently crush some of them. This helps thicken the sauce by releasing the beans’ starch and creating a creamy texture.
  5. Incorporate Crème Fraîche and Water: Stir in the crème fraîche and water, continuing to break down more beans to form a thick, creamy sauce that coats the ingredients beautifully.
  6. Add Pecorino and Season: Grate the Pecorino cheese over the beans and season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir it through until melted and combined.
  7. Serve: Spoon the creamy, savory beans over slices of crusty sourdough bread for a delightful meal or snack.

Notes

  • Have Patience with the Onions: Caramelizing onions is a slow process that should be done over low heat with frequent stirring to achieve maximum sweetness and color.
  • Prepare the Onions in Advance: To save time, caramelize a batch of onions ahead of time and refrigerate them. You can then quickly assemble the beans later by adding the pre-cooked onions.
  • Thicken the Sauce Naturally: Crushing some of the beans helps thicken the sauce without the need for flour or cornstarch, keeping the dish light.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary or thyme imparts a vibrant flavor that dried herbs can’t match, so use fresh if you can.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/caramelized-onion-white-beans-with-rosemary-and-balsamic-recipe/