by Bold Bean Co
"I'm all about comfort food, and there are few meals more comforting to me than a beany stew. This one is packed with soft leeks and juicy sausages, with a crispy sausage-fat pangrattato to finish. I add spinach for green-ness, but kale, chard or cavolo nero would also work. This is still a wonderful dinner with veggie alternatives, too.", Sophie Wyburd for Bold Bean Co.
Based on 3 servings, adjust as needed.
Heat 2/3 of the olive oil in a large frying pan or casserole dish over a medium heat. Add the leek, along with a pinch of salt, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and thyme leaves, then cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
Add the wine and stock, followed by the beans with their bean stock. Stir to combine, the reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Simmer for 10-15 minutes if using jarred beans or 15-20 minutes if using canned beans, until the beans are turning soft
Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the sausages and cook for roughly 6-7 minutes until nicely charred on the outside.
Taste the bean mixture and season if necessary, then add the spinach and stir it through. Place the sausages on top of the mixture, then cover once more and cook for a further 6-7 minutes.
Meanwhile, chuck the breadcrumbs into the same frying pan the sausages were cooked in, and fry over a medium heat until lightly browned. The crumbs will soak up all of that good sausage flavour.
Remove the lid from the casserole dish and stir in the crème fraîche, Parmesan and lemon zest and juice, along with some cracked black pepper.
Spoon on to plates and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs to serve. This is great with steamed broccoli on the side.