Pasta with Mussels and Beans: Penne con Cozze e Fagioli
- 1 cup cannellini beans, soaked overnight
- 1 small carrot, coarsely chopped
- 1 rib celery, coarsely chopped
- 4 pounds mussels, scrubbed
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/2 pound penne
- 1/2 bunch Italian parsley, leaves finely chopped
- 2 sprigs basil, leaves chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Drain the beans and place in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat with the chopped carrot and celery.
- Add 2 cups fresh water and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook until beans are tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Check water level from time to time and add boiling water as it cooks down so that beans are always covered.
- When tender, drain, place in a bowl and set aside.
- Place mussels in a large pan with the wine and set over high heat.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until all the mussels have opened.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Strain cooking liquid through several layers of cheesecloth into a small bowl and set aside.
- When mussels are cool enough to handle, remove flesh and discard shells.
- Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons salt.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add garlic.
- When garlic is soft but not brown, add tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, or until tomatoes are soft and disintegrating.
- Stir in cooked beans and simmer gently while pasta cooks.
- Cook pasta in boiling water until it is almost cooked through, about 8 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and add to the bean mixture.
- Add the mussels and strained mussel liquid.
- Stir over low heat 5 minutes, then add parsley, basil, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately.
cannellini beans, carrot, celery, mussels, white wine, extravirgin olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, penne, italian parsley, basil, salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/pasta-with-mussels-and-beans-penne-con-cozze-e-fagioli-recipe.html (may not work)