Salsa Verde Beans

This is my basic recipe for cooking dried beans, but with the addition of salsa verde at the end - the onion, garlic, and lemon add so much flavor!  It's an easy recipe to throw together, but does take some time to cook.  I like adding the salsa verde to bring a new flavor to an old favorite.  

Salsa Verde Beans

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 head of garlic, halved crosswise
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2 cups dried white beans
• 6 cups water
• 16 oz. salsa verde
• 1/2 tsp. chili flakes
• salt & pepper, to taste

Serves 4-6
Cook time: 2-3 hours

In a small medium Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Sear onion, garlic, and lemon until browned on all cut sides - do not try to hurry this process, this is where all the flavor comes from.
Once vegetables are browned add dried beans and enough water to fully cover (usually about 6 cups); salt and pepper, to taste.   Bring beans to a boil and then knock the temperature down to low and let simmer, uncovered, until they are cooked through (depending on the size, variety, and age of the bean this can take 1-3 hours).  Keep an eye on the water level and add more if beans rise above the water line.
Once beans are cooked through add salsa verde and stir to combine.  Serve immediately; garnish with pickled radish, sour cream, avocado, etc.