Beans are important in Gohar World. You could say we're obsessed. It is our logo after all. Early in the pandemic, Laila sent out a bean recipe. Lots of people reached out to tell us that this method changed the way they make beans. So here it is. We ate beans with aioli and baguette for lunch (see our BLT recipe for the aioli recipe). Use good quality heirloom beans if you can. We love getting our beans from Amoon Farm in NYC's Union Square, but any beans you like will work.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup dry beans
1/4 cup olive oil
2 bay leaf
1/2 onion
Couple cloves of garlic
Any veggie scraps you have (parsley stalks, celery, carrot, sage, etc).
Splash of vinegar
Salt
RECIPE
Soak the beans overnight. Honestly, don't listen to people that say soaking beans isn't important. It is and will make your beans better. They won't burst.
Add beans to a large pot and cover with water by a few inches. Add bay leaf, onion, garlic, veg scraps, a tbs of salt, and 1/4 c oil. Salt and fat are the most important things about cooking beans. The liquid needs to be salty. Taste it. Everything else doesn't matter as much. Don't have onions? It's fine. No bay leaf? Sad - but okay!
Bring to boil and then gently simmer for half an hour. Test. Small beans take less time. Cook til tender.
Add a little vinegar toward the end. Taste again. Salt accordingly. Let the beans relax in the liquid for a while once they're done. This makes them hold together. Add a little more oil, a tiny bit of liquid, and serve. Always store beans in their own liquid. They're comfy that way.
Originally published on October 27, 2022 in STUDIO LUNCH, the Gohar World text newsletter. Text "YUM" to 833-648-0911 or subscribe here to get the recipe first.
