Description
Hearty French onion-inspired bean toast blends rustic French culinary traditions with comforting ingredients. Rich caramelized onions and creamy white beans create a simple yet satisfying meal that connects home cooks with classic flavor profiles.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound yellow onions, sliced into 1/8-inch thick rings
- 3 cups cooked cannellini beans with their broth
- 4 slices solid bread (preferably whole grain or sourdough)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons shiitake mushroom powder
- 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Kosher salt to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper for serving
Optional/Additional Ingredients:
(None in this recipe)
Instructions
- Slowly transform onions in a Dutch oven with olive oil over medium heat, sprinkling salt to draw out moisture. Allow onions to soften and gradually caramelize for approximately 15 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, continuing to cook onions until they develop a rich, deep golden hue, stirring occasionally for about 1 hour.
- Deglaze the caramelized onions with vinegar, cooking an additional 15 minutes until color intensifies and flavor deepens.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet and toast bread slices until they achieve a golden, crisp exterior on both sides.
- Transfer toasted bread to serving plates.
- In the same skillet, lightly toast nutritional yeast until aromatic, releasing its nutty essence for 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate beans, reserved broth, caramelized onions, Worcestershire sauce, and mushroom powder into the skillet.
- Simmer the mixture, allowing it to reduce and thicken into a luxurious gravy-like consistency.
- Generously spoon the bean mixture over the crisp toast.
- Finish with a generous crack of fresh black pepper and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Master caramelizing onions by stirring frequently and using low, steady heat to prevent burning and achieve deep, rich flavor.
- Experiment with different bread types like sourdough or rye for varied texture and taste profiles that complement the savory bean topping.
- Enhance umami depth by adding a splash of soy sauce or miso paste to the bean mixture for extra complexity and richness.
- Make the recipe vegan-friendly by substituting Worcestershire sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring all ingredients align with plant-based dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg