Light Eating: Giant Chipotle White Beans

Beans are the star this month, as we focus on Eating Light in January -- but without losing the comfort of hot, creamy winter foods. And these beans have been whispering to us since we first saw them at 101 Cookbooks.

We just think this looks amazingly good. Cooked white beans are baked with white cheese, spicy chipotle-tomato sauce, oregano pesto, and dark greens. A crunchy, golden topping of breadcrumbs tops the whole thing.

This looks so delicious and filling -- a wonderful winter dish. But it's also high in fiber, good vegetables, and vitamins with no meat in sight. Yummy!

• Get the recipe: Giant Chipotle White Beans Recipe

(Image: Heidi Swanson at 101 Cookbooks)

Comments (7)

I made this last week! I screwed up a few things, like accidentally using a big can of tomato sauce instead of the small one, so I had to reduce it, and I added black beans. I also used fewer bread crumbs. It was absolutely delicious. My husband immediately told me I would have to make it again.

And even if you're in a rush, don't skip the cilantro pesto. I was skeptical, but it really increased the complexity of the flavors in a delightful way.

posted by Forthright Fattie on January 20th 2009 at 2:44pm
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Ooo, I'll have to try this. Food I can eat for a week is going to be really necessary for a while and this looks like it'll fit the bill.

posted by Tiamat_the_Red on January 20th 2009 at 3:25pm
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This looks wonderful. I just picked up a pound of cranberry/borlotti beans at the farmers market on Sunday and searched her web site for a suitable recipe which at this juncture looks to be Saturday night's dinner. This will be my first time cooking from dried beans so I am anxious to try out her recipe. So far, everything I have prepared off of her website has been a big hit.

posted by rosebud on January 20th 2009 at 3:42pm
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Heidi Rocks! :)

posted by VeryDelishVeg on January 20th 2009 at 4:27pm
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I made this last week... and it was great.. BUT we put in the whole can of chipotle peppers, not just the sauce, and it was HOT, HOT, SO SPICY! I could hardly eat it. So beware, the recipe doesn't include the chilies for a reason :)

Other than that, it is WONDERFUL!

posted by amandamae on January 20th 2009 at 5:03pm
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I am sooo making that.

posted by whytephoenix on January 21st 2009 at 12:25pm
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This is awesome. I, too, made it last week & polished off the entire dish in three days by myself! Heidi Swanson & her recipes are so inspirational.

posted by pdxbiker on January 21st 2009 at 2:19pm
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