Sausage and Bean Stew

By mschweickert

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound hot and/or sweet Italian sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1/2 fennel bulb, cored and chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 15 .5-ounce can navy beans (do not drain)
• 1 15 -ounce can cherry tomatoes

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat; add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the carrots, fennel, onion, 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 tablespoon thyme and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 15 minutes.

Preheat the broiler. Combine the panko with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 tablespoon thyme and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; set aside. Return the sausage to the skillet along with the beans and their liquid, the tomatoes and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and gently simmer until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the stew and broil until golden, about 4 minutes.