Alison Roman's Spicy White Bean Stew | NYT Cooking

NYT Cooking
30 Jan 202010:48
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script features a passionate cook sharing their recipe for a flavorful white bean stew, emphasizing the importance of using a variety of beans for creaminess and flexibility in ingredient selection. The cook discusses their love for canned beans and the convenience of pantry staples. The recipe incorporates elements like red onion, garlic, and olive oil, with a focus on seasoning, particularly when toasting spices. The use of broccoli rabe adds a bitter touch, while harissa provides the necessary spiciness. The cook suggests using tomato paste and chili flakes as alternatives if harissa is unavailable. The dish is thickened by crushing some beans, and the cook prefers their food spicy, adjusting the recipe accordingly. For garnish, they recommend feta cheese, yogurt, or a fried egg, and finishing with a touch of cooked olive oil. The summary encapsulates the essence of a cozy, at-home cooking experience with a personal touch.

Takeaways
  • 🍲 The video features a new stew recipe that the creator struggled with due to the fear of comparison with a previous stew recipe.
  • 🥫 The stew uses canned beans, with a preference for creamier beans like cannellini over starchier ones like pinto beans.
  • 🌶 Harissa paste is a key ingredient, adding a spicy kick to the stew. It's important to adjust the amount according to taste.
  • 🧅 The creator emphasizes the importance of seasoning, especially when frying onions and garlic, to maximize flavor.
  • 🥦 Broccoli rabe is used for its texture and characteristic bitterness, which the creator enjoys in the stew.
  • 🍅 Tomato paste with chili flakes can be used as a substitute for harissa paste if it's not available.
  • 🥘 The initial crushing of beans helps thicken the stew, distinguishing it from a soup, which is typically brothy.
  • 🌱 The stems of broccoli rabe are added first to retain their crunch, while the leaves are added later to wilt.
  • 🍋 Preserved lemon is another secret ingredient that adds a salty and tangy flavor to the stew.
  • 🧀 Feta cheese, yogurt, sour cream, or parmesan can be used as a garnish for added creaminess.
  • 🥚 Topping the stew with a fried or medium-boiled egg is suggested for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Q & A

  • Why did the speaker mention a 'secret society newsletter' in the context of white beans being sold out at Whole Foods?

    -The speaker humorously suggested the idea of a 'secret society newsletter' to inform people about when certain ingredients, like white beans, are restocked at Whole Foods, as they noticed the beans being sold out when they went to shop.

  • What does the speaker prefer in terms of beans for their stew recipe?

    -The speaker prefers creamier beans over starchier ones, specifically mentioning a preference for cannellini beans over pinto beans due to their creamier texture.

  • Why does the speaker dislike opening cans?

    -The speaker dislikes opening cans because it is one of their least favorite kitchen tasks, finding it inconvenient and possibly difficult.

  • What is the speaker's stance on using olive oil in cooking?

    -The speaker is not shy about using a lot of olive oil in their cooking, justifying it by stating that it contributes significantly to the good taste of the food.

  • Why does the speaker choose to use broccoli rabe in the stew?

    -The speaker chooses broccoli rabe for its texture, which includes both the stems and leaves, and appreciates its bitter taste, which adds an interesting contrast to the stew.

  • What is the role of harissa in the stew recipe?

    -Harissa, a spicy chili paste, is used to add spiciness to the white bean stew. The speaker emphasizes the importance of adjusting the amount according to personal spice preferences and the specific brand's heat level.

  • What is a substitute for harissa paste if it's not available?

    -If harissa paste is not available, the speaker suggests using tomato paste with some chili flakes as a substitute, which would provide a similar balance of sweetness and spiciness.

  • How does the speaker modify the beans in the stew?

    -The speaker lightly crushes some of the beans with the back of a spoon to thicken the stew and create a more creamy texture, while leaving some beans whole.

  • What does the speaker do to prepare the broccoli rabe for the stew?

    -The speaker separates the leaves from the thicker stems of the broccoli rabe, allowing the stems to retain some crunchiness while the leaves wilt in the stew.

  • What are the speaker's 'secret ingredients' in the stew and what do they contribute?

    -The speaker's 'secret ingredients' are harissa and preserved lemon. Harissa adds a spicy kick, while preserved lemon contributes a salty and tangy flavor, enhancing the stew's depth of taste.

  • What garnishes does the speaker suggest for the stew?

    -The speaker suggests garnishing the stew with feta cheese for creaminess, but also mentions alternatives like yogurt, sour cream, or parmesan. Additionally, they recommend a drizzle of cooked olive oil for an enhanced flavor experience.

Outlines
00:00
🍲 Stew Ingredients & Preparation

The first paragraph introduces the topic of the video, which is a new stew recipe. The speaker discusses their hesitation in sharing another stew recipe due to the inevitable comparison with a previous one. They mention using ingredients from the pantry, which are flexible and interchangeable. The paragraph details the process of selecting and using different types of beans, such as butter beans and cannellini beans, for a creamier texture. It also covers the dislike for opening cans and the importance of using olive oil, garlic, and onion in the cooking process. The use of broccoli rabe for its texture and the incorporation of harissa for spiciness are highlighted. The paragraph concludes with a mention of using tomato paste and chili flakes as alternatives if harissa is not available.

05:01
🌶️ Spicy Bean Dish & Stew Transformation

The second paragraph continues with the cooking process, emphasizing the transformation of the dish from a simple sautéed bean side to a more complex stew. The speaker describes the process of lightly crushing some beans to thicken the stew and enhance its texture. They also discuss the addition of chili flakes for extra spice and the incorporation of broccoli rabe, addressing its characteristic bitterness. The importance of the harissa paste as a 'secret ingredient' is reiterated, and the use of preserved lemon for a tangy and salty flavor is introduced. The paragraph concludes with the garnishing of the stew with feta cheese and the option to add a fried egg for extra protein, finishing with a drizzle of cooked olive oil.

10:01
🎉 Embracing the New Stew & Audience Engagement

The final paragraph reflects on the audience's reception of the new stew recipe, expressing relief that viewers have shown love for multiple stew recipes rather than just one. The speaker playfully engages with the audience by mentioning various nicknames they've heard for the new stew, such as 'stew 2.0' or 'stew round two'. They encourage the audience to continue being creative and to keep pushing the envelope, appreciating their input and participation.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡White Beans
White beans are a type of legume commonly used in various cuisines for their creamy texture and mild flavor. In the video, the creator expresses a preference for creamier beans like cannellini over starchier ones like pinto beans, highlighting the versatility of white beans in the stew recipe.
💡Harissa
Harissa is a North African chili paste made from a blend of chilies, garlic, and other spices. It is characterized by its spicy and flavorful profile. In the video, the creator uses harissa to add a spicy kick to the white bean stew, emphasizing the importance of adjusting the quantity based on personal spice preferences.
💡Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, is a green vegetable with a slightly bitter taste. It is appreciated for its nutritional value and the textural contrast it provides in dishes. The video features broccoli rabe for its bitter note, which the creator enjoys and believes adds an interesting layer of flavor to the stew.
💡Preserved Lemon
Preserved lemon is a type of lemon that has been pickled in a mixture of salt and lemon juice. It has a distinctive salty and tangy flavor profile. In the context of the video, preserved lemon is used as a secret ingredient to add depth and complexity to the stew's flavor, enhancing its savory and tangy characteristics.
💡Vegetable Broth
Vegetable broth is a savory liquid made by simmering vegetables, often with seasonings, in water. It is a staple in vegetarian and vegan cooking. The video uses vegetable broth to maintain the vegetarian nature of the stew, contributing to the dish's overall flavor and moistness.
💡Stew
A stew is a type of dish where ingredients are simmered in a liquid, typically resulting in a thick and hearty meal. The video focuses on creating a white bean stew, emphasizing the difference between a soup and a stew, with the latter being thicker and creamier due to the initial crushing of beans.
💡Spice Blooming
Spice blooming refers to the process of releasing the flavors of spices by heating them in oil before adding other ingredients. In the video, the creator discusses the importance of blooming pepper in oil to enhance the flavor of the dish, which is a critical step in building the stew's taste.
💡Cannellini Beans
Cannellini beans are a type of white kidney bean known for their creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor. They are used in the video as a preferred bean choice for the stew, highlighting their creaminess as a desirable trait for the dish's texture.
💡Feta Cheese
Feta is a brined, crumbly white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It has a tangy flavor and is often used as a garnish or ingredient in various dishes. In the video, feta cheese is suggested as a garnish for the stew to add a creamy element, complementing the other flavors.
💡Olive Oil
Olive oil is a fat extracted from olives and is a key ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. The video emphasizes the use of olive oil for cooking, particularly for frying onions and sautéing garlic, to provide a rich, flavorful base for the stew. The creator also mentions finishing the stew with cooked olive oil for an enhanced flavor experience.
💡Garnish
A garnish is an additional touch or decoration added to a dish to enhance its appearance and sometimes its flavor. The video discusses garnishing the stew with feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, which not only adds visual appeal but also contributes to the overall taste and texture of the dish.
Highlights

The speaker mentions a shortage of white beans at Whole Foods, indicating a popular demand for the ingredient.

A humorous comparison is made between creating new recipes and having children, suggesting a sense of pressure and comparison.

The pantry is referred to as an 'old friend' when creativity is low, emphasizing the importance of staple ingredients.

Beans are highlighted as a preferred ingredient, with a preference for creamier varieties like cannellini beans.

The dislike for opening cans is expressed, revealing a personal quirk of the speaker.

The use of red onion and the color coordination with the speaker's yellow shirt is noted, showing attention to visual presentation.

Olive oil is defended as a key component of the speaker's flavorful cooking, despite the large quantities used.

Seasoning advice is given, emphasizing the importance of adding pepper early to 'bloom' the spice.

Broccoli rabe is chosen for its texture and acknowledged for its bitter taste, which the speaker appreciates.

Harissa is introduced as a spicy element, with advice to adjust the quantity based on personal spice tolerance.

An alternative to harissa is suggested for those without access, using tomato paste and chili flakes.

The process of crushing some beans for the stew is described, aiming for a mix of textures.

The importance of adding chili flake for an extra spicy kick is mentioned, catering to the speaker's preference for spicy food.

Broccoli rabe stems and leaves are prepared differently for the stew, with attention to their cooking times and textures.

The distinction between a soup and a stew is explained, with the goal of achieving a thick and creamy consistency.

Preserved lemon is introduced as a secret ingredient, adding a unique salty and tangy flavor to the stew.

Garnishing options are discussed, including feta for creaminess, offering alternatives for different dietary preferences.

The use of cooked olive oil as a finishing touch is described, adding a different flavor dimension to the stew.

The speaker expresses a renewed confidence in the audience's love for stews, beyond just one favorite recipe.

Transcripts

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White Bean StewHarissa SpicePreserved LemonVegetarianHearty MealCooking VideoRecipe TutorialFood PreparationKitchen TipsHealthy EatingCulinary Creativity