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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.
What is a good substitute for cannellini beans? ›
If you don't have cannellini beans, substitute other dried white beans, like Great Northern or navy beans. If you don't have chard, use kale or spinach.
What do cannellini beans look like? ›
What are cannellini beans? Slightly kidney-shaped with squarish ends, cannellini beans are from Italy and are creamy white in colour. When cooked, they have a fluffy texture and a slightly nutty, mild flavour.
How long does it take to cook soaked cannellini beans? ›
Stovetop. Rinse beans before cooking. Place 1 cup beans in a large pot with 3 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 90 minutes; drain well.
Do cannellini beans cause gas? ›
Because of their fibre content, cannellini beans can cause gas. Eating too many beans can cause gastrointestinal upset to some extent. However, you can avoid such cases if you eat it after soaking it overnight.
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? ›
Cannellini Beans: Cannellini beans are a popular white bean native to Southern Italy. They are large and oval in size with a nutty flavor and a creamy texture. Cannellini beans are also called white kidney beans.
Are cannellini beans just white kidney beans? ›
Was this helpful? White beans are one of the many varieties of common beans domesticated in North and South America. Several types exist, though the most common are cannellini beans, which are also called white kidney beans.
Why is there a shortage of cannellini beans? ›
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.
Do canned cannellini beans go bad? ›
Canned cannellini beans can last pretty much indefinitely on the shelf, although you should take note of the expiration date to ensure you cook only fresh beans. Cooked beans are prone to spoilage more quickly than uncooked or unopened beans, much like any other kind of food leftovers.
Trader Joe's Cannellini White Kidney Beans are fully cooked and ready to use in your favorite recipes. Rinse Beans and serve over salads, pastas, soups or your favorite dishes.
Which beans are the healthiest? ›
Beans, such as black beans, garbanzo beans, and lima beans, are amongst the most nutritious foods you can eat. They're rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients that tend to be low in modern-day diets.
What happens if you don't rinse cannellini beans? ›
Canned beans are packed in a solution of water, salt, and starch. That solution can leave a glossy film on the beans, interfering with not only mouthfeel (slimy beans are a little off-putting), but also the ability of the beans to cling to other ingredients in the dish and absorb those flavors.
Do you drain cannellini beans before cooking? ›
Learn why straining and rinsing your beans is an important step—plus other ways to make the most of your legumes. Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks.
Can I cook cannellini beans without soaking? ›
Doing without soaking does increase beans' cooking time — but for most varieties that's only by a matter of 20 to 30 minutes, and that's unaccompanied time anyway. Black beans, pinto beans, Great Northern beans, cannellini beans, navy beans, they all cook without a whiff of trouble.
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 the difference between cannellini and Great Northern beans soup? ›
MasterClass reports that great northern beans are known for their mild taste, which generally allows them to absorb the flavors of other foods, making them a great option for soups. On the other hand, cannellini beans are known for a stronger, nuttier flavor and work well in various dishes, including salads.
Are navy and cannellini beans the same? ›
Due to their creamy white color, navy beans are sometimes confused with other white beans such as great northern beans, cannellini beans, or white kidney beans. Although their taste is similar, navy beans are smaller and rounder than these other varieties.
Are red kidney beans and cannellini beans the same? ›
Small red beans are used to make Louisiana Red Beans & Rice. White Kidney Beans, also known as Cannellini Beans, are large, kidney-shaped beans with a white skin. They have a soft texture, and are great ingredient for pureed dips like hummus, creamy salad dressings (i.e., Caesar salad dressing) and sauces.
