Together with cannellini beans, called dried beans or simply “dried beans”. rice It’s THE traditional Turkish dish. If there are pickled vegetables as a side dish, especially cabbage, voilà, jackpot! There are variations of this recipe based on the type of meat you want to use or, although rare, a vegetarian version. You can cook dried cannellini beans with beef or lamb stew, with minced meat, my favorite, pastrami (of the shepherds)-mmmmand/or soujuk (sausageMiddle Eastern/Turkish sausage).
Even though the dish traditionally contains meat, growing up in my house we loved olive oil! i.e. the vegetarian version is the best, especially during the summer. Mom’s vegetarian summer version contains no meat but sweet green chilies, fresh mint leaves and sun-dried tomatoes. Delightful!
For 4 people
2 cups soaked cannellini beans (1 cup soaked overnight makes about 2 cups) or 2 cans cannellini beans [Although the taste will be different, you can use northern or navy beans as well]
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2-3 sweet green chilies or peppers of your choice or which can be fine, chopped
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped or 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons dried mint leaves
1/3 cup or more sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
1 tomato, grated or canned small diced tomato
salt
3-4 tablespoons of olive oil
-Place the olive oil in a cast iron pot and heat it [You can use any kind of pot, but beans are cooked best in cast irons or clay pots]
-Add the onion and cook about 5 minutes until soft but not browned.
-Add green peppers and cook 2-3 minutes.
-Add the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes.
-Add beans, dried tomatoes, fresh or dried mint leaves and grated tomato. Cook for 2 minutes.
-Add water until it covers the beans nearly an inch. Salt to taste.
-Bring to a boil and then simmer covered over medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes. If you use canned beans, 30 minutes will be enough. If you soaked the beans overnight, check them after 40 minutes; they may need a good hour or a little more.
-Enjoy with rice or any type of grain as a side or with crusty bread to sop up that delicious tomato juice. Yogurt and pickled vegetables as a side dish are the most popular side dishes for dried beans.
