Cranberry Bean Salad

either it was real good or these are members of the Clean Plate ClubI had no plans to use tonites meal as a post. My lack of photos is a testament to my poor planning. I had a pretty simple game plan for dinner and already knew what my next post was going to be. No need to document and keep notes on this meal, or was there?  I'll make a warm bean salad using some Cranberry Beans I picked up at a new co-op near here. A risotto with shrimp. Easy breezy.

Here is where the wheels went off. The dried cranberry beans are from a farm in Maine and known for their creamy texture.  I added aromatics that  sweat in a little olive oil. I used leeks, onions, and carrots from my CSA and a touch of garlic and parsley. Again nothing earth shattering here. The key to this salad was a few heaping forks full  of pickled peppers I put up this summer. Banana, jalapeno and cherry peppers sliced very thin in a tart cider vinegar brine. These added the right touch of heat and acidity, smooth it all out with a little grapeseed oil, adjust seasoning and I had it.

I made a basic risotto with a very rich chicken stock and shrimp with a little spice rub and basil. Just before the risotto is finished I add the shrimp split in half. Right before serving I fold in some butter and fresh spinach.

Rich shrimp and rice topped with a heaping spoonful of creamy cranberry beans.  I wish you were here.

best photo I could get, sorry

Here's what I did, best I can remember

• 1 cup dried cranberry beans or bean of your choice picked soaked and cooked
• 1 onion small dice
• 1 leek white part mostly small dice washed well
• 2 carrots, medium dice
• parsley
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• a 2 count of grapeseed oil
• 3 big forks full of pickled peppers. You can buy them. I suggest you mix a few kinds together.
• salt n' peppa

sweat the aromatics in a little oil and mix with beans

add everything else, taste and adjust

if you find it too cloying for your taste you can thin out the salad with a few tablespoons of hot water

I will make the leftovers into a bean sandwich for lunch, photos, promise

Cook like you mean it, G

homemade chorizo patty and bean sandwich aka pork & beans