Italian Cannellini Bean Stew

with Escarole and Basil

This classic winter stew is a favorite of ours. Creamy white beans give it heft and smoked paprika adds a rich depth of flavor to the dish. If you’ve never had escarole, think of it as a halfway point between lettuce and kale — it’s a fabulous winter green, and is related to endive, chicory, and radicchio. It’s especially excellent in soups and stews, where its slight bitterness gets a chance to mellow out.