Simmered White Beans with Sausage and Tomato

By bakers_delight85

From Italian Home Cooking by Julia Della Croce

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 sweet Italian fennel sausages, casings removed
• 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 3 chopped fresh sage leaves or 1/2 tsp. dried sage
• 1/2 cup meat broth or water
• 1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cooked, drained cannellini or great northern beans
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

Step 1

In a skillet over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and saute gently until totally softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the onion and garlic from the pan and transfer to a side dish.
Heat the oil that remains in the pan and add the sausage meat to it, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Saute until browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Return the onion and garlic to the pan. Add the tomato paste, sage, broth or water, salt, and pepper to taste and bring to a boil. Add the beans, bring to a boil again, and immediately reduce to a simmer. Partially cover and cook gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot or warm.