White Bean Casserole with Ham
serves 6
NOTE: Coarse homemade breadcrumbs make the best topping for this
casserole; store-bought breadcrumbs are too fine and easily soak
into the-filling. Smoked ham lends nice flavor but it is often very
salty; if you use it, season the filling with
care.
Topping
2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs (see figures 9, 10 and 11)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Filling
1 tablespoon butter, plus extra for greasing baking dish
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 medium onions, finely chopped
3 medium garlic cloves, minced very fine
12 ounces cooked ham, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
3 cans (1.5 ounces each) white beans, drained and rinsed
11/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
Salt and ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. For the topping: Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix bread crumbs and butter together in baking dish; bake until light golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Cool to room temperature, transfer to bowl, and mix with Parmesan cheese; set aside.
2. For the filling: Butter 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set it aside. Heat butter and oil in heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides; add onion and sauté until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and ham; sauté until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in stock, tomatoes, beans, and thyme; season with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a simmer.
3. Transfer mixture to baking dish and bake uncovered until bubbling around edges, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture on top and bake until bread crumbs are toasted and deep golden brown, about 8 minutes longer. Cool casserole 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
VARIATION:
White Bean Casserole with Ham and Kale
Wash, stem, and shred 1 bunch kale (about 10 ounces) into 1/4-to 1/2-inch strips. Follow Master Recipe, adding kale to skillet after onion has softened; sauté kale until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and ham and proceed as directed.