Need a quick, midweek winter warmer… this is the one.
A nice simple sausage & butter bean stew is all you need sometimes.
And this doesn’t disappoint.
Totally delicious and comforting.
SERVES: 4
PREP TIME: 5 mins
COOKING TIME: 35 mins
DIFFICULTY: easy
IDEAL FOR: crowd-pleaser, family, midweek meal
BUDGET: £
Simple sausage & butter bean stew
There is nothing better than being able to whip up a great meal.
And listen to the oooh’s and ahhhh’s around the table as people slurp up the last of the sauce on their plates.
This is why I love this recipe.
It does exactly that.
And best of all, you’re not left slaving after a long day to make this happen.
Literally, 5 mins of prep and leave those butter beans to absorb all the flavours.
Then serve it up with some greens or a bowl of crusty bread.
But what if I don’t have butter beans?
Fear not… here’s the low-down on beans!
(*did you ever think you needed one??)
The great bean conundrum
Now, you may think, why do I really need to read this?
And I would have agreed with you a while back.
But now, I am further down the line on my cooking journey.
And braving more and more to go ‘off-piste’ when I don’t have all the ingredients.
I’ve found it’s quite nice (and reassuring) when you can easily sub-in ingredients... with confidence.
So, for me, the beans mind field needs to be uncovered.
Because does it really make a lot of difference??
More bean chat… & discover subs for butter beans
Ok, just in case, butter beans are the same as lima beans.
Named after Peru’s capital, Lima, by Spanish explorers.
The butterbean has a sweet, velvety, buttery taste.
And holds the flavours from a dish like no other.
It can have a slightly chalky texture.
But it’s perfect for using baked, braised, in soups, stews or casseroles.
Cannellini beans
Cannellini beans are used in a lot of Italian recipes.
They are part of the haricot family – along with flageolet
They have a mild, nutty flavour, and a soft creamy but meaty texture.
So are good for stews and soups, such as minestrone, or for use in salads.
Borlotti Beans
These are the red and white beans.
And are related to kidney beans and pinto beans.
They are also popular in Italian cooking.
They have a mild, nutty flavour, but with more sweetness.
They can be used in almost any dish where butter beans would be used – soups, pasta, casseroles, and salads.
Pinto beans
Named from the Spanish word meaning “painted”.
These beans have a brown speckled colour when dry.
But go completely brown once cooked.
You’ll often find pinto beans in Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes like refried beans, burritos, or chilli.
Compared to butter beans which are creamier, pinto beans have a slightly powdery texture.
Chickpeas
These beans come from the Middle East.
And are great for falafel’s, hummus, etc.
Probably the beans you’d use last off this list as a sub for butter beans as their texture is firmer.
But use them if it’s all you have in the cupboard.
Red kidney beans
These guys go back 8,000 years.
Compared to butter beans, kidney beans have a slightly sweeter taste.
But are similar in shape and texture and good for slow cooking.
The only big difference is the colour.
Haricot beans
Also known as Navy beans or Boston.
They are your baked beans.
So are great with hot spices and tomato sauces.
Great bean dishes
If you like the sound of this simple sausage & butter bean stew.
Then you’ll also need to check out these outstanding dishes:
Slow-cooked pork, bacon and beans
Slow-braised oxtail & pit-beans
Enjoy!
Easy sausage & butter bean stew
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 12 chipolatas (or any nice sausages you can find)
- 2 onions, sliced
- 1 leek, chopped) optional
- 1 tsp chilli flakes optional
- 8 garlic cloves, sliced or minced
- 1 rosemary sprig
- 600 ml chicken stock
- 2 x 400g tinned butter beans, drained
- 75 g butter, cubed
- handful of parsley, chopped
- 2 lemons, zested
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat the oil and fry the sausages until brown, then remove and set aside. Add the onion to the pan and fry for 5-10 mins until golden and soft, then add the chopped leek (optional), chilli flakes (optional), garlic and rosemary, and cook for 2 mins more. Pour over the stock and bring to a boil.
- Now, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 mins, then add the sausages back to the pan along with the butter beans. Simmer for 8 mins, then stir in the butter, parsley and lemon zest.
- Best served in bowls.
Notes
References:
