Alison Roman recently posted an incredibly charming guide to a weeknight pantry meal. It’s made with creamy white beans and a handful of simple ingredients. This delightful dish really couldn’t be simpler to make. It relies on pantry staples, which is why this dish is ideal for busy weeknights. You can use a mix of butter beans, gigante beans and/or cannellini in the dish. You can make them ahead of time for a grab-and-go meal solution.
A medium head of cabbage, cut into 1-inch wedges works just fine here. The cabbage, braised with mustard seeds and coconut, provides a filling, healthy counterpoint to the rice. It’s cooked slowly in a mixture of butter and olive oil over medium/medium-low heat until it develops a glorious caramel color. Once on the pan, cook one side until deep golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. After that, carefully flip it over so the other side gets evenly browned too (you’ll need about 8 to 10 minutes more). This technique really helps develop the flavor and texture of the cabbage.
Preparing the Ingredients
Along with the cabbage, the other star ingredient in this recipe is a huge shallot that should be sliced into thin rounds. Cook the shallots until they’re richly browned and completely soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Both steps add an incredible amount of texture and complexity to the overall flavor of the dish.
Fresh herbs add another layer of flavor while canned tomatoes keep things moist and add richness. A hit of sherry vinegar or white distilled vinegar brightens up the dish with a pungency that cuts through the richness and melds everything together. Olive oil is an essential ingredient throughout the cooking process, adding to the dish’s delicious richness.
Cooking and Baking Instructions
To cook the casserole, crank your oven up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare your cooked cabbage and shallots, and get ready to slice up your sausage! Finally, stir them together with the cooked beans and tomatoes in an 8×8 baking dish. Bake until set and the top is lightly golden brown, about 50 to 60 minutes. Look for the liquid to evaporate and the top to form a lovely brown crust.
If you enjoy some forethought, you can take care of the beans two days before. Simply keep them in your fridge for even more convenience with this recipe! Anytime you need to serve, simply stick your prepared dish in the oven uncovered. Reheat it at the same oven temperature until warmed through and bubbling, typically 20 to 30 minutes or so should do it.
Serving Suggestions
Savor this veggie-filled vegetarian dish all by itself, or level up with optional toppings. For a little extra flavor, try topping your finished dish with grated Parmesan cheese, spooned ricotta or crumbled feta. These garnish additions provide another layer of flavor and creaminess that further take this dish to the next level.
