a friend sent along this recipe.  she is a culinary magician, with skills to make $50 dollars worth of  groceries last one month.

here is her recipe

a version of greens & beans

1 cup dried cranberry beans, soaked overnight then boiled for 35 minutes with just enough water to cover (not more, add more water as needed), 1 bay leaf and salt.  Let beans sit when done boiling and add I tsp of “better than boullion” (chicken flavor).   Don’t strain, keep extra bean water for later. 

3 spring garlics
3 spring onions
1 shallot
1 clove regular garlic
Chop all and saute in olive oil until soft, 3-5 minutes.  Add about 2 tbsp’s tomato paste and saute bit more to caramelize.  Remove beans with slotted spoon and add to pot, cooking for another 1-2 minutes to coat.  Salt and pepper as needed.  Set aside.

Chop 1 large head of red swiss chard (or other greens but the chard was pretty).  Add to same pan with some of bean water and saute until wilted.  Serve beans atop a bed of the greens and drizzle a bit of the water if desired.

I garnished with a bit of chopped fresh rosemary and oregano from the garden.  Yummy!

her beautiful brooklyn garden