Cranberry Bean Parmesan Gratin

Ingredients

Beans

• 1-1/4
  
  cups dried cranberry beans
  
• 2
  
  garlic cloves
  
• 2
  
  bay leaves
  

Gratin

• 1/2
  
  medium onion, diced
  
• 1
  
  carrot, diced
  
• 1
  
  celery stalk, diced
  
• 6
  
  tablespoons olive oil, divided
  
• 2
  
  small cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  
• 1/2
  
  cup dry red or white wine
  
• 1
  
  tablespoon minced fresh oregano
  
• 1
  
  cup roasted tomatoes
  
• 1/2
  
  cup bread crumbs
  
• 1/4
  
  cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 
  
  cooked cranberry beans
  

Directions

1. Place beans in a large bowl and cover with 4 cups water; let soak overnight. Or use the quick soak method. (Cover beans with water, bring to a hard boil for two minutes, take off the heat, cover with a lid, let sit for 1 hour.)

2. Drain beans and transfer to a medium saucepan; cover with water by 2 inches; add garlic cloves and bay leaves. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat and skim foam from surface. Continue simmering beans until tender, 45 minutes or more, adding more water as necessary. Season beans with salt and set aside to cool in their liquid.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium, heavy-bottomed skillet heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic; let cook 2 minutes. Add wine. Cook until the liquid is mostly evaporated. Stir in tomatoes; cook 5 minutes more and remove from heat. Add oregano.
4. Drain beans, reserving liquid. Discard garlic and bay leaves. Transfer beans to skillet with vegetables; stir to combine. Pour bean mixture into a medium gratin or baking dish. Add enough bean cooking liquid to almost cover. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and remaining olive oil. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over dish.
5. Transfer gratin dish to oven and bake for 40 minutes until brown and bubbling, checking occasionally to make sure the gratin has not dried out. If necessary spoon a little of the bean cooking liquid into the side of the gratin, to avoid wetting the breadcrumbs.