Classic Italian Cucina Povera. Escarole and beans. Recipe in comments 👇

Classic Italian peasant food made with beans, greens, olive oil, and time. Bread in the bowl, a drizzle of good EVOO, a little cheese on top — that’s dinner.

Simple, honest food anyone can make.

RECIPE 👇

Pops’ Home Cooking
Simple Meals, Big Flavor

🥬 Pops’ Escarole & Beans

🥣 INGREDIENTS

🫒 ¼ cup olive oil
🧅 1 medium onion, diced
🥬 3 ribs celery, diced
🧄 3 cloves garlic, sliced
🥔 2 medium russet potatoes, small dice
🫘 Choice 1 (Traditional):
1 lb dried cannellini beans, soaked 12–24 hours, drained & rinsed
🫘 Choice 2 (Shortcut):
3 (16-oz) cans cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
🥬 1 head escarole, chopped
🍗 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock (plus more as needed)
🧂 Salt & black pepper

🟡 OPTIONAL ADD-INS (POP TWISTS)

🥓 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced (adds richness)
🌶️ 1–2 Tbsp cherry pepper juice (adds brightness)
🌶️ 1–2 Tbsp chopped cherry peppers (adds color + mild heat)
🌶️ Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste (adds gentle heat)

🧀 OPTIONAL FINISH (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
🫒 Extra-virgin olive oil, to finish
🧀 Pecorino Romano, freshly grated

🔥 METHOD
🫒 Heat olive oil in a heavy pot
🥓 (Optional) Add pancetta or bacon; cook until fat renders
🧅 Add onion and celery; cook until soft
🥔 Stir in potatoes; cook 5 minutes
🧄 Add garlic; cook 1 minute
🍗 Add stock and beans
🌶️ (Optional) Stir in cherry pepper juice
🔥 Simmer until potatoes and beans are tender
🥄 Mash some beans and potatoes against the pot to thicken
🥬 Add escarole; cook just until tender
🧂 Season to taste
🌶️ (Optional) Add chopped cherry peppers and red pepper flakes
🫒 Finish with olive oil and Pecorino Romano
🍞 POPS NOTE
Cucina Povera is about making something good with what you have.
The base recipe stands on its own. Everything else is optional — but welcomed.

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