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Quick White Beans with Tomatoes, Garlic, and Sage

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 5, 2009

Yield

Serves 6 as a main dish

Quick White Beans with Tomatoes, Garlic, and Sage

Ingredients

4 (15½-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth4 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for the table¼ cup roughly chopped sage leaves 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves Salt and ground black pepper

Before You Begin

Traditionally, the beans receive a liberal dousing of the finest extra-virgin olive oil prior to serving, but use your discretion; some tasters felt the beans were overwhelmed by the pungency of the oil. The amount of oil also depends on its flavor. Although this recipe yields a large quantity, the beans keep for several days and reheat well. Mixed with additional olive oil and a spritz of lemon juice, the beans are an outstanding topping for bruschetta. The grilled bread and beans can also be topped with sautéed spinach for a nutritious vegetarian meal.

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, and sage in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. As the oil begins to sizzle, shake the pan back and forth so that the garlic does not stick (stirring with a wooden spoon will cause the garlic to clump). Cook until the garlic turns very pale gold and the sage darkens, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomato juices have evaporated and the tomatoes look shiny, about 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the beans and 1 cup chicken stock or canned broth. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated, 18 to 20 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, ­accompanied by extra-virgin olive oil for ­drizzling at the table.
Quick White Beans with Tomatoes, Garlic, and Sage

Quick White Beans with Tomatoes, Garlic, and Sage

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Yield

Serves 6 as a main dish

Ingredients

4 (15½-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
4 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for the table
¼ cup roughly chopped sage leaves
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Salt and ground black pepper

Ingredients

4 (15½-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
4 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for the table
¼ cup roughly chopped sage leaves
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Salt and ground black pepper

Ingredients

4 (15½-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
4 medium garlic cloves, sliced thin
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus additional for the table
¼ cup roughly chopped sage leaves
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Salt and ground black pepper

Why This Recipe Works

To coax the best flavor from the garlic, sage, and tomatoes for our quick white beans recipe, we sautéed sliced garlic and chopped sage in olive oil until the garlic was pale gold in color, then we stirred in drained canned diced tomatoes and simmered the mixture to blend the flavors. Finally we added the drained canned beans and some chicken broth and gently cooked the mixture to bring all the elements together.

Before You Begin

Traditionally, the beans receive a liberal dousing of the finest extra-virgin olive oil prior to serving, but use your discretion; some tasters felt the beans were overwhelmed by the pungency of the oil. The amount of oil also depends on its flavor. Although this recipe yields a large quantity, the beans keep for several days and reheat well. Mixed with additional olive oil and a spritz of lemon juice, the beans are an outstanding topping for bruschetta. The grilled bread and beans can also be topped with sautéed spinach for a nutritious vegetarian meal.

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, and sage in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. As the oil begins to sizzle, shake the pan back and forth so that the garlic does not stick (stirring with a wooden spoon will cause the garlic to clump). Cook until the garlic turns very pale gold and the sage darkens, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the tomato juices have evaporated and the tomatoes look shiny, about 10 minutes.
  2. Stir in the beans and 1 cup chicken stock or canned broth. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated, 18 to 20 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, ­accompanied by extra-virgin olive oil for ­drizzling at the table.

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