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Last updated on June 29th, 2022 at 03:20 pm
Okay, I could’ve easily named this 5-minute white bean recipe, but, but, doesn’t cannellini just sound SO MUCH better and pretentious? White bean sounds like…”Well, you know you’re gonna be farting in your sleep tonight…” While cannellini sounds sophisticated, fancy and like something people would drink with red wine or something. Cannellini! Now do it with an Italian accent! CANNELLINI! And you have to do something with your hands, as if you’re explaining something to someone really stupid who doesn’t understand.
When I think of cannellini I think of cannoli, which is a super delicious pastry that much like Al Pacino’s parents comes from Sicily.
I first had cannoli when I was in Sicily 4 years ago, it was a time of many firsts. First time to a volcano (Etna), first time seeing 2 people being hit by a car while crossing the street, dusting themselves off and moving on with their day (trauma for life), first time seeing someone jerk off in public. Okay, unfortunately not the first time, but it was quite traumatic as well.
Still, I’d go to Sicily tomorrow if I had the chance. It’s so beautiful, warm, Etna’s smoking and the food is pretty amazing. But here I am writing about white beans, with very dirty hair on a hot summer day. Dream big.
But, I do think you’ll like these white beans.
How To Make Cannellini in 5 Minutes?
Simple. Get a can of cannellini, open it and smell it.
Doesn’t smell like lilies right?
Well, now it’s time to face the tough part. Getting rid of that liquid surrounding the beans. I know, it looks very appetizing, but before you decide to make a latte with it, hear me out. It doesn’t taste good.
It’s better if you just rinse and then drain the beans. Forget about that slime – say goodbye, so you can both move on.
Now that we have sparkling clean white beans it’s time to heat them in a non-stick pan with some coconut oil or olive oil. Some people say frying with olive oil is more poisonous than being bitten by a viper snake, I wonder how the poor people in Spain and Greece survived all those olive oil attacks during the years.
Look now you got distracted and forgot to chop 1/2 onion and to mince one garlic clove. I hate to be the responsible one here. So, please, chop chop.
Okay, before the cannellini, add the onion and the garlic to the pan, let that saute for 1-2 minutes. Then put in the cannellini and stir them.
Now it’s time for the really tough part! The spices. I decided to add dry mint, basil, coriander, and cumin because those seem to be my go-to herbs and spices right now.
Stir to cover each sad little white bean in herbs and spices and turn the heat off.
You can eat these white beans like this, or, orrr, you can decide to invest 10 minutes and make a small tomato cucumber salad and some tzatziki, which isn’t vegan, but if you are – I have a vegan recipe here. If you’re not, just mix some yogurt with chopped cucumber and garlic, add salt – ready!
So, I don’t know, maybe there’ll be another person who ends up without anything to eat at home but a can of beans. This recipe’s for you. I have only love, respect and understanding for you.
Yield: 2
5-Minute Cannellini Recipe
Super simple cannellini bean recipe! Make these white beans in under 10 minutes (you can try for 5), when you have nothing to eat at home. Or in those situations you actually crave a can of white beans. Serve with some salad and vegan tzatziki for a full vegan dinner!
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup cannellini beans, canned
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp mint
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- optional: red pepper flakes
- olive oil (or coconut oil)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- Rinse and drain cannellini, chop the onion, mince the garlic.
- In a non-stick pan - saute the onion and garlic for a minute with some oil.
- Stir in the cannellini beans, let cook for a minute.
- Stir in the spices, making sure to cover each bean.
- Serve with a small tomato cucumber salad, olives (not in the picture) and tzatziki.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 232Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 448mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 7gSugar: 2gProtein: 10g
I will be back on Thursday with a secret superfood list – I’ve been trying to write that post for I think a year and it’s about only 7 foods, so you can see I’m a productive human who can’t get distracted by anything. Hopefully, it’s done on Thursday.
FAQs
"The difference between the two rests primarily with the heartiness of the cannellini over the northern," explains Vince Hayward, the president of Camellia Brand beans. "Because of the thicker skin, and slightly bolder bean taste, the cannellini lends itself better towards soups and stews," Hayward adds.
Are cannellini and navy beans the same? ›
Cannellini Beans
Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone. They retain their shape and texture well, so they're perfect to use in salads, soups, stews, and chili.
Can I substitute cannellini beans for garbanzo beans? ›
Perhaps the best substitute for chickpeas across the board is white beans. They have both a similar taste and look to chickpeas. Any white bean will do, including cannellini beans (white kidney beans), lima beans (butter beans), great northern beans, and navy beans.
How do you make cannellini beans Nigel Slater? ›
Finely chop the dill and stir into the garlic. Tip the butter beans and cannellini together with their liquor into the pan and stir to coat them with the oil and garlic. Leave over a moderate heat, covered by a lid, for a few minutes until the beans are hot. Finely grate the lemon zest and squeeze the juice.
What is the healthiest white bean? ›
All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.
Are canned cannellini beans healthy? ›
Cannellini beans are wonderfully nutritious. They're fat free and an excellent source of fiber, folate, iron and magnesium. One 1/4 cup serving contains 11 grams of protein! Adding nutritious foods like dried cannellini beans to your diet may help control blood sugar levels; talk with your doctor.
What are cannellini beans called in America? ›
Some recipes simply call for “white beans.” This is a general term for great northern beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, and other similar beans.
Which white beans are creamiest? ›
Baby Lima Beans
They're more likely to be referred to by name, however, or called butter beans. They're creamy and buttery when they're cooked, hence their nickname. Because of their soft texture, they work well to make dips or include in a soup, stew, or even a casserole where you don't want a hard bean.
Are white beans good for gut? ›
Beans, particularly small white navy beans, are full of gut-supporting fibers, amino acids, and other nutrients, which can help the beneficial bacteria in your colon flourish, supporting immune health and regulating inflammation, Daniel-MacDougall explains.
Why are cannellini beans hard to find? ›
There were two reasons for the shortage. The first was poor weather conditions in the Upper Midwest, where most of the nation's supply of cannellini beans are grown. The second was increased demand, which took the company by surprise.
The most common substitutes for Cannellini Beans are red kidney beans, great northern beans, butter beans, and black beans.
Which is better for you chickpeas or cannellini beans? ›
Are cannellini beans as healthy as chickpeas? Yes, both cannellini beans and chickpeas come with their own set of health benefits. They're both high in fibre and protein, aiding in digestion and overall body function. The difference lies in their taste and texture.
Can you eat cannellini beans straight from the can? ›
You're fine. Absolutely! The canning process cooks the beans so anything you get in a can is already “cooked”.
Why are cannellini beans so good? ›
Cannellini beans are high in fibre and contain vitamin C as well as magnesium, a mineral that helps our muscles to function properly. Chickpeas are a good source of fibre and contain more than 10 different micronutrients, including copper, which keeps our skin and hair healthy.
How to fancy up canned beans? ›
You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.
Can I substitute Great Northern beans for cannellini beans? ›
While tasters generally preferred the creamy texture and larger size of the cannellini beans, most found that the great Northern beans tasted nearly as good.
What is the closest bean to Great Northern beans? ›
For great northerns, you can opt for pinto beans, chickpeas, or lima beans. These alternatives offer a similar tender texture and mild taste that work well in delicate dishes. On the other hand, if navy beans are unavailable, you can easily use any white or colored bean, such as white kidney beans or black beans.
What is another name for Great Northern beans? ›
Great northern, also called "large white" beans, are larger than navy beans as well, but smaller than cannellini beans. They have a flattened shape similar to lima beans and a delicate flavor.
