Canellini Stew with Pancetta and Swiss Chard

Recipe by Lisa Fielding

Adapted from October 2013 Food & Wine

Yield: 4-6 servings

2 Cups dried cannellini beans (3/4 lb., soaked overnight and drained)
1 head Swiss Chard chiffonade (stalks discarded)
1 small onion halved
1 large onion finely chopped
Sea Salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ lb. pancetta cut into small cubes (lardon in French)
4 garlic cloves slivered
6 hot dried red chiles
1 tsp. finely chopped rosemary
1 tsp. finely chopped sage
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 C. Marsala Wine
1 28 oz. canned Italian tomatoes chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese, extra olive oil and fresh cracked pepper to finish. 

1. In a large Dutch Oven (enamel Le Creuset for example) cover the beans and halved onion with water. Salt generously. 
Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer over low heat until tender. About an hour. Taste. Continue cooking if 
they are too al dente. When finished, drain the beans, set aside and reserve the cooking broth. You will need it later to 
thin the stew. 
2. In the same pot, add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat stirring occasionally until a nice crisp cube has formed. 
Set the lardon aside but leave the fat in the pot. 
3. Add the olive oil to the pot Heat and add the onions. Saute until translucent. 
4. Add the garlic. Cook for two minutes. 
5. Add the rosemary and sage and cook until fragrant, one minute.
6. Toss in the thyme, a teaspoon of sea salt and the pancetta. Stir to combine. Toss in the Swiss Chard. Allow to wilt with 
a couple of turns of the spoon. 
7. Add the Marsala. Allow it to bubble to cook off the alcohol, three minutes. 
8. Add the tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes to incorporate. And then add the beans and the dried chiles. Salt to taste. 
9. Now add enough reserved cooking liquid so sauce just covers beans. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 30 
minutes until a rich and thick stew has formed. If the beans are too thick simply add a little more of the cooking liquid. 
10. Taste and adjust seasoning. 
11. Serve in low, wide bowls. Dust with freshly grated parmesan, pour a tablespoon of olive oil in the center and pass the 
pepper grinder.