Recipe - White Bean And Watercress Gratin

1 pound Dried white beans such as
Great Northern; picked over
; or navy
4 cup Chopped onion
2 One half qt Water
3 tablespoon Olive oil
2 teaspoon Whitewine vinegar
1 teaspoon Salt
1 One half cup Packed tender watercress
sprigs plus
; additional sprigs for
garnish if
; desired
1 cup Fine dayold bread crumbs
1 cup Grated Gruyere
1 Garlic clove; minced

In a kettle combine the beans with enough cold water to cover them by 2
inches, bring the water to a boil, and simmer the beans, uncovered, for 2
minutes. Remove the kettle from the heat and let the beans soak, covered,
for 1 hour. Drain the beans in a colander, return them to the kettle, and
stir in the onion and the 2 One half quarts water. Simmer the beans for 35 to 45
minutes, or until they are tender, drain them in the colander set over a
large bowl, and transfer them to a 3quart gratin dish or other shallow
baking dish. Return the cooking liquid to the kettle and boil it for 5 to
10 minutes, or until it is reduced to about 1 One half cups. In a blender puree
1 cup of the beans with the reduced cooking liquid, the oil, the vinegar,
and the salt and stir the puree with 1 One half cups of the watercress into the
whole beans. The gratin may be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance
and kept covered and chilled.

In a bowl toss together the bread crumbs, the Gruye, and the garlic,
sprinkle the topping over the gratin, and bake the gratin in the middle of
a preheated 425F. oven for 20 minutes, or until it is bubbly and golden.
Divide the gratin among 6 to 8 plates and garnish each serving with some of
the additional watercress.

Serves 6 to 8.

Gourmet October 1992

Converted by MC_Buster.

Converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.