Cannellini (White Kidney) Bean & Bacon Smash

This is a very tasty side dish and goes well with things like pork chops or steaks. It makes an excellent “something different” when you don’t want potatoes, and it’s really fast to throw together. Is this a romantic side dish? Well, I suppose it depends on who you share it with!

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 tsp chicken broth paste or powder
  • 2 pieces of bacon, cut into 1/4″ squares
  • 1 small shallot, diced
  • 1/4 tsp of minced garlic
  • Big pinch of Italian seasoning
  • 1 (15oz) can Cannellini (White Kidney) beans, rinsed and well drained
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the milk the microwave until just before boiling, stir in the broth paste until completely dissolved.
  2. Heat a 10″ frying pan over medium-high heat, once hot add the bacon and cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon bits to drain on a piece of paper towel.
  3. Remove all but a few teaspoons of the fat, or if there is not at least a few teaspoons of fat add a little butter to make up the difference.
    Add the shallot and garlic, cook and stir for a few moments, then add the beans.
  4. Cook the beans stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and are just beginning to brown. Then, stir in the milk mixture, and the Italian seasoning.
  5. Begin smashing the beans with the back of a wooden spoon. Smash them as much or as little as you would like. I like mine very creamy with just a few whole beans.
  6. When the beans are smashed to your liking and have thickened, remove them from the heat.
  7. Stir in half the bacon bits, then taste and season as needed.
  8. Place into a serving bowl or onto plates and top with remaining bacon bits.
  9. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 Servings – Easily doubled or even tripled

Notes

  • I often use a few tablespoons of red onion instead of shallot
  • You can’t really substitute any other sort of white beans for this recipe.
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