Smoky cannellini and chorizo

I have been feeling a bit low the last week or so.  I couldn’t quite put my figure on what was dampening my spirits but I think it is that I finished the last book in the series that starts with Alpine Advocate: An Emma Lord Mystery.  There are hopefully more to come but looking at past publication dates, probably not for another year.  When I first started reading the series, I enjoyed the books but wasn’t hooked on them. But as I have read more, the characters have grown on me.  I am going to miss them!  It feels like a good friend has moved away and I know I am not going to see them for a year.   The characters have had many a lunch with me over the past few months as I have read the books as a good way to switch off from the office for a short period.

So I have turned to another old friend to help lift my spirits, this recipe for chorizo and cannellini beans.  It is basically a pared down version of a chicken with chorizo and cannellini recipe that Nigella Lawson published in her book, Nigella Bites: From Family Meals to Elegant Dinners — Easy, Delectable Recipes For Any Occasion. Nigella’s recipe has chicken and kale but in my laziness I have reduced this recipe to four ingredients plus olive oil for cooking and salt and pepper to taste.

The recipe is not only filling and tasty but I can have it on the table from go to whoa in under 20 minutes.  It is so simple to make and is perfect for those days when you feel you can’t be bothered cooking but feel a need to heat something hearty without reaching for the frozen meal.

As with so many simple recipes with only a few ingredients, the quality of the ingredients is key and in particular you need to use good quality chorizo.  I buy mine from a great butcher at our local food markets.  They specialize in organic meat and their product is always full of flavour.  They have a glorious array of sausages and it is my go to place for good spicy chorizo.

I know serious foodies say you should always buy your meat from a butcher but it just isn’t always convenient and the supermarkets have good quality versions of certain cuts and particularly mince.   But chorizo is one item that I always buy at the butcher.  I have in the past bought from the supermarkets but they just don’t have the flavor I am looking for.

There is lots that is good about this recipe but it is high in calories – about 750 depending on the chorizo.

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