Navy Bean And Escarole Stew With Feta And Olives

Name: Navy Bean And Escarole Stew With Feta And Olives
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 head of garlic, cloves separated, divided; 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for serving; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 small fennel bulb, chopped; Kosher salt; 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest; 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary; 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for serving; 2 bay leaves; 2 cups dried navy beans, soaked overnight, drained; 8 ounces feta, preferably in brine, brine reserved, cheese crumbled; 4 large sprigs basil, plus leaves for serving; 1 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted, torn; 1 head of escarole, leaves torn into 2-inch pieces; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 4 (1-inch-thick) slices country-style bread

Servings: persons

1 head of garlic, cloves separated, divided
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for serving
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small fennel bulb, chopped
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for serving
2 bay leaves
2 cups dried navy beans, soaked overnight, drained
8 ounces feta, preferably in brine, brine reserved, cheese crumbled
4 large sprigs basil, plus leaves for serving
1 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted, torn
1 head of escarole, leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 (1-inch-thick) slices country-style bread

1
Slice 1 garlic clove in half crosswise and set aside; smash remaining garlic cloves with the flat side of a chef's knife.
2
Heat 4 Tbsp. oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook smashed garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add onion and fennel and season lightly with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and fennel and onion are browned around the edges, 8-10 minutes. Add lemon zest, rosemary, and 3/4 tsp. red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until rosemary is very fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add bay leaves, beans, feta brine (if using; anywhere between 1/2-1 cup is fine), a couple generous pinches of salt, and 8 cups water and bring to a simmer. Partially cover pot, reduce heat to low, and gently simmer stew until beans are creamy and tender all the way through, 60-70 minutes.
3
Add basil sprigs and olives to stew, then add escarole in batches, letting wilt slightly before adding more; simmer just until escarole is tender, about 3 minutes. (If stew is too thick, add more water to reach desired consistency.) Stir in lemon juice; taste and season with more salt if needed. Pluck out bay leaves; partially cover pot and keep stew warm over low while you make the toast.
4
Heat broiler. Drizzle 2 Tbsp. oil total over both sides of bread and place on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Broil until bread is golden and toasted, about 2 minutes per side. Let cool slightly, then rub with the cut sides of reserved garlic clove.
5
To serve, slice toast in half and divide among shallow bowls; ladle stew over. Top with feta, basil leaves, and more red pepper flakes and drizzle with oil.
6
Stew can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat covered over low.

915

kcal

Calories

Fat

101

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 head of garlic, cloves separated, divided, 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for serving, 1 medium onion, chopped, 1 small fennel bulb, chopped, and more.

Yes, Navy Bean And Escarole Stew With Feta And Olives falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!