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–+ servings

Spicy Tomato Beans with Hot Honey

5 from 1 vote
These beans are comforting and easy, just what a weeknight dinner should be. They take inspiration from a classic vodka sauce, but use a few tweaks and adjustments to turn the base sauce into a light, simple weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Italian
Keyword: butter beans, heirloom tomatoes, hot honey, white beans
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

For the spicy beans

  • 1 can butter beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2/3 cup milk of choice
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the lemon kale

  • 1 bunch lacinato kale
  • 1 lemon for juicing
  • salt & pepper to taste

For the hot honey bread crumbs

  • 1/3 cup day-old bread chunks or croutons
  • 1 tbsp hot honey or 1 tbsp honey mixed with 1 tsp hot sauce
  • 2 sprigs fresh parsley optional

Optional toppings:

  • 1 tbsp hot honey, for drizzling
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • First prepare the lemon kale. Cut the kale into shreds and add it to a large bowl. Squeeze the lemon juice over the kale and massage to break down the tough fibers. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set to the side.
  • To prepare the breadcrumbs, set your oven to 400F. Use a food processor to pulse the bread, hot honey and parsley together until breadcrumbs form. Sprinkle the crumbs on a parchment lined baking sheet and toast at 400F for 7-8 minutes or until they are a deep golden brown. Set aside.
  • Put a dutch oven or deep skillet on medium heat. Let it heat up for a few minutes before adding the olive oil.
  • Add the olive oil, garlic, tomato paste and red pepper flakes and cook for a few minutes or until the tomato paste has darkened in color.
  • Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly to combine with the tomato paste mixture. Continue to cook on medium until all the milk is in the pot.
  • Stir constantly and cook another 4-5 minutes on medium heat. You will see the sauce darken in color slightly and reduce, it will become a smooth red-orange color.
  • When the sauce is thick enough that you can run a spatula across the bottom of the pot and see the bottom, add in the beans and stir until they are completely covered in the sauce.
  • Plate with the beans first, then top with the kale and the bread crumbs. Add a drizzle of hot honey and serve!