Beet greens, with their dark green leaves and pungent, earthy flavor, are especially tasty with white beans. A nice alternative to beet greens is mustard greens, which are a little spicier.Other options are turnip greens and broccoli rabe. Start this dish a day ahead because the beans need to soak overnight.

　　

Ingredients

serves 6 to 8

　　2 cups dried white beans

　　2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

　　2 bunches beet greens

　　1 red onion, cut into 1/8-inch dice

　　1 garlic clove, minced

　　1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

　　Zest and juice of 1 orange

　　1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

　　1/2 cup olive oil

　　1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

　　

Step 1

Soak the beans overnight in a pot filled with water to cover. Drain and set aside.

　　

Step 2

Bring 10 cups of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Stir in the soaked beans and salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 45 minutes, or until the beans are soft. Drain and set aside.

　　

Step 3

Meanwhile, wash the beet greens very well by lifting them up and swishing them around in a large bowl of cold water. If any dirt remains in the bottom of the bowl, repeat this process once or twice until the bottom of the bowl is clean. Drain the greens in a colander.

　　

Step 4

Bring 1 cup of lightly salted water to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, add the greens, and cook for 10 minutes, or until soft.

　　

Step 5

Drain the beet greens and run them briefly under cold water to cool. Drain very well and, using your hands, squeeze out any excess water. Chop the beet greens into 2-inch pieces.

　　

Step 6

Mix the beans, beet greens, red onion, garlic, thyme, orange zest, orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, cayenne pepper, and salt, to taste, in a large bowl until well combined. Allow the greens and beans to marinate for at least 1 hour before serving, so the flavors have a chance to marry.

　　Bubby’s Brunch Cookbook by Ron Silver and Rosemary Black. Copyright © 2009 by Ron Silver and Rosemary Black. Published by Ballantine Books. All Rights Reserved.