legume essentials: beans and tomatoes

How To Make legume essentials: beans and tomatoes

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  Step 1
  PREP/PREPARE
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  Step 2
  To make this recipe, you will need a large skillet, or heavy-bottom pot, plus a blender or food processor fitted with an S-blade.
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  Step 3
  If you are making fresh beans, when you cook them add a sheet of Kombu (dried seaweed) to the pot. It will not impact the flavor; however, it will help to eliminate the enzymes that make beans gassy, and aids in digestion.
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  Step 4
  If you do not have a cinnamon stick, add a pinch or two of ground cinnamon.
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  Step 5
  It is important to have a couple of glasses of the wine; just to make sure it has not gone bad :-)
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  Step 6
  Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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  Step 7
  Add the tomatoes, wine, onions, capers and garlic to a blender, or a food processor fitted with an S-blade.
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  Step 8
  Blend until smooth.
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  Step 9
  Add the oil to a large skillet or heavy-bottom pot over medium heat.
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  Step 10
  When the oil begins to shimmer, pour in the blended sauce. It will sizzle as it hits the hot oil.
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  Step 11
  The technique of “frying” the sauce is a technique used in Mexican and Italian sauces. The interaction of the hot oil with the sauce gives it a depth as if it has been simmering for a long time.
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  Step 12
  Bring up to the simmer, add the oregano and cinnamon stick, and continue to simmer for 15 – 20 minutes.
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  Step 13
  While the soup is simmering, do a tasting for proper seasoning, and add a bit of salt and pepper, if needed. I find that it usually needs a bit of salt to bring out the flavor of the tomatoes.
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  Step 14
  If the sauce tastes bitter, add a pinch or two of sugar at a time, until the bitterness goes away.
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  Step 15
  Remove the cinnamon stick and add the beans.
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  Step 16
  Simmer until the beans are warmed through (5 – 7) minutes.
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  Step 17
  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Step 18
  Garnish with the chopped parsley, then serve while nice and warm with a lemon wedge, crusty bread, a bottle of hot sauce, and a few cold beers. Enjoy.
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  Step 19
  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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