Spicy White Bean Stew With Broccoli Rabe Recipe (2024)

I never understand the presentation of a binary choice between dried beans and canned. You can also prep dried beans every couple of weeks when you have some time, and freeze 'em for nearly-instant weeknight use without opening a can of overcooked and texture-deficient beans that are sitting in goo. Cheaper, better, arguably faster...what's not to like?

I teaching cooking classes to SNAP recipients and love finding new delicious bean soup/stew ( meaning cheap, easy , flexible and nutritious) recipes for my classes. My students loved AR chickpea stew and I am sure my next group will love this one. One of the most important things you can learn as a cook is to be flexible! Use what you have! Make it your own!

The comments on dried vs canned beans has become insufferable. The point of this recipe is that it's simple and uncomplicated, a dish that can be made quickly and with little fuss. If the dried beans are ready and prepared, use them; if not, canned beans are excellent. Given a good rinse, they're good to go. The food police, or in this case the gaseous bean police, should leave the rest of us to enjoy our supper without their caviling over beans. It's all bupkis.

@ DevinI do prep my own beans when I have the time. A binary option is a great one for me.I work 60+ hours a week at a minimum. I also take care of an elderly parent.Please think about it before you say "What's not to like" as your life is not mine not many others.I wish you all the best for the New Year.

It depends on the type of bean but a general rule of thumb I've seen is: if the recipe calls for cooked beans, then 1/2 of that in dry beans, and if the recipe calls for cans of beans (which have some liquid in their weight), then 1/3 of that in dry beans. So in this case, you'd want just about a pound of dry beans.

I’ve been cooking from the NYT 4-5 nights a week since I retired 3 years ago. In relation to the ease of preparation and execution this is the single best recipe of the hundreds I’ve tried. Pretty fast, quite satisfying and utterly delicious.

Delicious! I followed the recipe pretty closely, though I agree with the other comments that this recipe is very forgiving to substitutions/variations. Definitely crush some of the white beans as directed while cooking - it truly does give the soup a slightly creamy consistency. I added about a teaspoon of “Better than Bouillon No Chicken”, which I use in most of the soups I make (adds a savory flavor). Finally, I drizzled some good EVOO and sprinkled fresh grated parm on top before serving.

A note for the editors: When recipes call for pre-made ingredients like harissa, it would be really helpful to include a note abt the specific brand or type that was used to develop the recipe. I know you probably don’t want folks to get stuck on not being able to find the exact match, but these condiments can vary so much in terms of concentration & heat level that it could make a huge difference. I’m usually one to wing it & taste as I go, but it’s nice to know the original vision for the dish

Black beans or garbanzo beans will work too. Also try adding diced winter squash, which will act as a thickener if cooked thoroughly. I love this as a vehicle for adding more kale to my diet.

Cheese rind in the stew adds a great flavor and balance to the harissa, though grated cheese can work at the finish. Parmesan is best but almost any rind will do. I also sub in a can of diced tomatoes for the tomato paste and use the hottest garlic I can find in addition to a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Excellent recipe! Made it with harissa but also added an extra tbsp of tomato paste. I could not find broccoli rabe so I used broccolini (put in stems first and florets at the end). Highly recommend using preserved lemon because it adds a whole separate layer of flavor. Finally, I used both parsley and cilantro as a topping. The entire pot was licked clean and I will definitely be making this again. Might serve it over quinoa or brown rice to bulk it up if the family is hungrier than usual.

Thanks for this - a decent dish for cold days. Request: Can the recipe writers please use measurements like "Cups," "ounces," etc. in place of vague notions such as "bunch/bunches" - as used in this recipe re: broccoli rabe/kale. As greengrocers bundle produce differently in rather variable quantities, the term "bunch" is meaningless. While this recipe is forgiving and doesn't rely on precision to make something acceptable, providing accurate measures is most helpful.

I didn't add eggs when I made it for dinner, but it would have been great with a medium boiled egg just sliced in half and placed right on top. Tomorrow morning I am going to use the leftovers to make something like shakshuka. I don't know if you're familiar with it, but I will be reheating it on the stove and then making little "wells" to crack the eggs into. Then I will cover the pan and let them cook until the whites are just firm and the yolks are still a bit runny. Then dipping bread in!

Unpopular opinion: this is way better than The Stew.

Her method of cooking, as she explains so often, is in being unfussy, or using what you have in a pantry. For her methods, that would be canned beans, but she always tells readers that if you use dry, that is fine. I used to always use dry beans, but now that stores are offering more Organic, sodium-free varieties, it's just easier to stock up and open a can when needed, rather than soaking overnight and so on. It's all a personal judgement call.

Great. Lots of flavor. I used only 2cans on cannelloni beans, cilantro, lemon juice, tomato paste and a few red pepper flakes.

Great flavor. I used only 2 cans cannellini beans, lemon juice, cilantro and a few red pepper flakes.

I subbed broccoli for spinach and just added the leaves at the end. Really liked it!

This is my favorite NYT Cooking recipe so far. Since broccoli rabe can be harder to find, I make it with kale and it turns out great. Harissa is a must. I found the taste to be reminiscent of chilaquiles, so I serve it either over tortilla chips or with tortilla chips for dipping. Don't skip the feta (real or vegan will do) and fried egg on top - it's infinitely better with both.

The first time I made this I had premade samjang in my fridge so I used that instead and it was so good. If you want it less spicy and a little more tangy and funky it's very good.

Instead of Harissa I added the tomato paste and 1/4 tsp ground coriander and 1/4 tsp ground fennel. Really great recipe. It turned out nicely.

Did a mix of harissa and tomato paste - no need to salt (taste at end) because of the broth and feta. Used Broccoli Rabe, and half a lemon instead of preserved lemon, and served in a shallow bowl with Turkish bread… so good!

Made this with canned cannellini beans, lacinato kale and New York Shuk Harissa with Preserved Lemon. Added New York Shuk Preserved Lemon Paste. Topped with feta, cilantro and a fried egg. Excellent winter meal.

We liked this a lot! Used mild Harissa so could have used more like 4 tblsp or more. Enjoyed with feta crumbles. Will make again.

I would give this 4 stars, but reading the comments, I will try again with changes. Used:- 3 tbsp Mina Harissa Mild (would change to a different brand or use the spicy, flavor did not come through)- 1.5 cups dried beans (boil for 10-20 min and soak, then boil for a bit to get to the right softness)- Mix of kale & broccolini (couldn't taste the broccolini)- Preserved lemon (meh - would do half a p. lemon next time & lots of lemon juice)- Parsley (next time use cilantro)- Do add egg! :-)

Used 3 Tbl of Mina Harissa mild, but it has no tomato and didn’t turn the stew red. Honestly couldn’t taste much of it in the final serving. Would recommend combining with tomato paste or a different brand harissa.

I tried this soup because I had all of the ingredients...broccoli Rabe from the garden, braided white beans in the freezer, the last dregs of a bottle of harissa, a jar of homemade preserved lemon we got as a hostess gift. It's an odd mix of things, but we really enjoyed it. I did add a carrot and a celery stick, plus more harissa. It's-30 in Chicago today and this really warmed us up!

Made this with mustard greens and it was amazing!!! Will make it again and again

Ignore previous note, 1.5x recipe should still use around 4 cups of broth

Wow, this was amazing, and couldn’t have been easier. Granted, I think broccoli rabe is the best vegetable in the world, but my two teens do not - and they also liked this.