ARUGULA & WHITE BEAN SALAD

By BobD

Ingredients

• Insalata di Rucola e Cannellini
• Makes 6 Servings
• 3/4 cup Braised Cannelini Beans (see recipe, page 000)
• 2 large bunches arugula (about 1 pound)
• 1 small red onion, sliced thin
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, or to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, or to taste
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from lidiasitaly.com

Preparation

Step 1

Fish the right amount of beans out of the cooking liquid and let them cool completely on a baking pan.

Meanwhile, pluck the protruding stem ends of the arugula off and discard any wilted or yellow leaves. Wash the arugula in a large bowl or sinkful of water to remove all sand and grit. Dry the arugula well, preferably in a salad spinner, and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Scatter the cooled beans and onion over the greens and season everything with salt and pepper. Pour the olive oil over the salad, toss to coat, then repeat with the vinegar. Check the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, oil or vinegar as you like. Serve immediately.

SIDEBAR:Pan-fried Garlic Bread
Traditionally, in Italian-American restaurants, garlic bread entailed lots of chopped garlic mixed with butter and a little oil. This version, struffinato— or rubbed— with a smashed garlic clove, is more subtle, and is the right match for the Arugula and White Bean Salad (above) or the White Bean and Escarole Soup (see recipe, page 000).

Choose a large heavy skillet—cast iron is ideal— brush it lightly with olive oil and set it over medium-low heat. Cut a loaf of Italian bread in half lengthwise, then cut it crosswise into 3 or 4-inch pieces. Rub the cut surfaces with a smashed garlic clove and brush them with Garlic-Infused Olive Oil (see page 000) or extra virgin olive oil. Arrange as many of the pieces, cut side down, in the pan as fit without touching. Weight the bread down with a slightly smaller skillet and cook until the underside of the bread is golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove and repeat as necessary with the remaining bread. You may keep the cooked garlic bread warm in an oven turned to the lowest setting.