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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
If you can't find cannellini beans, great Northern beans are the best stand-in.
Are cannellini and great northern beans the same? ›
"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 beans the same as navy beans? ›
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.
What's the difference between butter beans and cannellini beans? ›
Nutritionally, both butter and cannellini beans are high in protein and fiber and have very similar nutritional profiles. The only noticeable difference is that butter beans contain a small amount of fat while cannellini beans have none.
Which is healthier, chickpeas or cannellini beans? ›
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.
Are garbanzo beans and cannellini beans the same? ›
But they're different in taste and texture. Cannellini beans are creamier and softer, while chickpeas are denser and slightly grainy. Also, cannellini beans have a mild taste, while chickpeas have a stronger, nuttier flavour.
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.
Do cannellini beans cause gas? ›
Beans are rich in soluble fiber. This type of fiber is water soluble and turns into a kind of gel in your gut. We can't digest these compounds, but our gut bacteria love them. As your gut bugs start to ferment the soluble fiber, they produce gasses.
What is the best white bean? ›
Great Northern Beans: The Meatiest of the Bunch
Unlike Navy Beans, Great Northern beans retain their shape when they're cooked, making them an excellent candidate for white bean soups and stews or — my own personal favorite – Vegan Cassoulet. Great Northern Beans have a mild, nutty flavor.
Which white beans are the healthiest? ›
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.
Navy (Pea) Beans
Because they get creamy when cooked, they're perfect for mashing against the side of the pot, pureeing in dips, and thickening soups, stews, ragouts, and more.
What is the best tasting bean? ›
What Are The Best Beans To Eat
- Kidney Beans.
- Chickpeas Or Garbanzo Beans.
- Black Beans.
- Pinto Beans.
- Navy Beans.
- Lentils.
- Peas.
- Soybeans.
Cooked, dried beans just taste better.
In fact, canned beans can have a metallic taste, or they can be too salty or mushy. Cooking with dried beans lets you season them to to your taste and control how long you cook them — making sure they're just as firm or as soft as you like.
What are cannellini beans high in? ›
They also contain a concoction of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins (especially folate), vitamin E and vitamin K. Cannellini beans are also rich in iron, and contain good amounts of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and manganese.
What are cannellini beans related to? ›
Cannellini beans belong to the plant family, Fabaceae, also known as the legume, pea, or bean family, which includes lentils, chickpeas, peas, and peanuts. Cannellini beans are believed to have originally been cultivated in Argentina but have long been celebrated as a staple of Italian cuisine.
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.
Are cannellini beans just white kidney beans? ›
Several types exist, though the most common are cannellini beans, which are also called white kidney beans. Tender, with an earthy, nutty flavor, they make a great addition to soups, stews, chilis, and other dishes. This article reviews the nutrient profile, benefits, and uses of white beans.
Are pinto and cannellini beans the same? ›
No, cannellini beans and pinto beans are not the same. While pinto beans are Mexican in heritage, cannellinis are Italian. They are different in appearance, cooking time, and generally how they are used in recipes.
