Are You Serious With This Marry Me Beans Recipe?

Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate. — Alan D. Wolfelt

Are you actually serious with this “Marry Me Beans” recipe? This recipe is as bland and unimpressive as they come. You might as well just eat the canned beans straight out of the tin and save yourself the effort. If you really want to impress someone with a recipe, you need to step up your game and show some passion in the kitchen. But since you seem to need some serious help in this area, I’ll begrudgingly provide a thorough recipe for you.

Now, onto the recipe — ugh.

Marry Me Beans

Prep Time: 8 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 18 minutes Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil from a jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, plus more for serving
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup packed chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained if oil-packed)
• 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish, optional
• 4 slices sourdough bread, toasted, for serving

Method

1. Sizzle the garlic and pepper flakes: Heat the oil in a medium pot, braiser, or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until sizzling and aromatic, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
2. Heat the beans: Add the sun-dried tomatoes and stir. Then add the beans, broth, oregano, and salt and stir. Bring to a simmer, then roughly mash about 1/4 of the beans for a creamier mixture. I just use the back of a wooden spoon.
3. Add the finishing touches and serve: Once the mixture is bubbling and heated through, reduce the heat to low and add the cream, about 2/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese is melted, then taste. Add more salt and/or lemon if needed.
4. Top with a drizzle of additional sun-dried tomato oil, the remaining Parmesan, and fresh parsley or basil (if using). Serve with toasty bread for dunking.

This recipe is a basic attempt at creating something remotely appetizing, but I suppose it’ll have to do for now. Don’t expect any cooking awards for this one.

Wine Pairing

Now, let’s talk about a proper wine pairing for a dish that actually deserves some attention. Since we’re dealing with creamy beans and sun-dried tomatoes, a rich Chardonnay would work beautifully. I’d recommend the Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay from Napa Valley. The buttery and oaky notes of the Chardonnay will complement the creamy texture of the beans and add a delightful touch of elegance to this otherwise lackluster dish.

Bon Appétit

If you’ve cooked up your Marry Me Beans to a delectable perfection, striking the right balance of flavors and textures that make anyone want to say “I do” to another serving, then you’ve truly captured the heart and soul of this dish. Craving more culinary adventures that evoke feelings of love and warmth with every bite? Hit that subscribe button for a journey through the world of soulful comfort foods. And if you’ve uncovered the secret to making beans so irresistible that they inspire proposals, please, share your culinary romance in the comments. Or, perhaps in the spirit of culinary affection, it’s best to quietly enjoy your Marry Me Beans, knowing that sometimes the most heartfelt moments are shared over a comforting bowl of beans.