Gigante Bean Salad with Peppers and Chorizo

This hearty salad takes its cue from Spanish tapas. Beans, chorizo and whole peppers are frequently served as tapas, either on their own—often drizzled with olive oil—or as ingredients in other dishes. This dish, too, can be served along with an array or tapas, or simply offer it for lunch or dinner with a loaf of good bread.

 

Gigante Bean Salad with Peppers and Chorizo

 

Ingredients

 

For the beans:

• 1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 oz./330 g) dried gigante beans, picked over for stones and rinsed
• 2 bay leaves
• Kosher salt

For the tomato vinaigrette:

• 3 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 1/2 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
• 12 to 15 padrón or shishito peppers
• 1/2 lb. (250 g) fresh chorizo, casing removed

Directions

 

1. To make the beans, in a large saucepan, combine the beans and 8 cups (64 fl. oz./2 l) water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the bay leaves, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add 2 tsp. salt, cover and simmer until the beans are tender to the bite, 30 to 45 minutes longer. Drain and set aside.

 

2. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Preheat an oven to 325°F (165°C). In a bowl, toss the tomatoes with the 1 tsp. olive oil, the garlic and 1/4 tsp. salt. Place the tomatoes, cut sides down, on a baking sheet. Roast until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool. Slip off the skins and discard. In a blender, combine the tomatoes, garlic, the 1 1/2 Tbs. olive oil, the vinegar, 1/4 tsp. pepper and the paprika and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings.

 

3. Preheat a stove-top grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the peppers in the pan and cook, turning often, until softened and charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Stem and coarsely chop 4 or 5 of the peppers. Leave the others whole.

 

4. Crumble the chorizo into a fry pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

 

5. Divide the beans among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with the chorizo and chopped peppers. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss to mix. Garnish with the reserved whole peppers and serve immediately. Serves 4.

 

 

 

Find more vibrant and versatile salads for every season in our
cookbook Salad of the Day, by Georgeanne Brennan.