Lemon Herb Cannellini Beans

vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, ​​soy-free, refined sugar-free

Adapted from Chloe Coscarelli's recipe in Chloe's Vegan Italian Kitchen: 150 Pizzas, Pestos, Risottos, & Lots of Creamy Italian Classics

This quick, easy meal is filling and delicious. It's creamy Italian comfort food, and I love it so much I make it almost every week!

Serves: 2 / Active time: 20 minutes / Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained (or simply drained if using organic beans)
• 1/2 teaspoon each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2/3 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (juice from about half of a lemon)
• 2 cups spinach, kale, or other greens, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces

To serve:

• mashed potatoes, cooked pasta (farfalle or rotini work well), or warm crusty bread
• more nutritional yeast sprinkled on top, optional

Directions:

1. In a deep skillet or sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and Italian seasoning, and let cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add beans, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, and nondairy milk. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Stir in greens, cover pot, and cook for several minutes more until greens are softened and bright green (spinach cooks almost instantly, but kale takes a few minutes).
4. Turn off the heat and stir in lemon juice.
5. Serve the bean mixture on top of mashed potatoes or pasta, or simply eat along with warm crusty bread.

*Nutritional yeast, commonly called "nooch" by vegans, is deactivated yeast with an amazing nutrition profile and a nutty, cheesy flavor. Look for nutritional yeast in the bulk bins, baking aisle, or supplements section at your grocery store. I use it to top pasta, pizza, salads, breads, rice, and popcorn, and it's used in many vegan cheese substitutes. For other recipes calling for nooch, see Crispy Kale Chips, Roasted Chickpeas, Tofu Scramble, Chickpea Noodle Soup, Soft Gruyere, Cauliflower Gratin, and Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Dip. In other words, if you don't already have some, you're going to want to buy some!

nutritional yeast