Bean purée with crispy speck
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Energy Kcal 401
- Carbohydrates g 39.4
- of which sugars g 3.6
- Protein g 24.9
- Fats g 15.9
- of which saturated fat g 3.09
- Fiber g 13.1
- Cholesterol mg 23
- Sodium mg 884
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 20 min
- Cook time: 2 h 10 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Low
- Note + 12 hours of soaking the beans
PRESENTATION
Bean purée with crispy speck is like this gem from Northern Italy—seriously good. You know, locals there really know how to turn the simplest ingredients into something magical. Here’s the deal: the classic mashed potato gets a fun twist, swapping in cannellini beans for a lighter, yet still super creamy bean purée. This region loves dishes that feel delicate but really pack a punch in flavor.
The beans? They break down into a smooth, moist spread that tastes buttery yet stays light. Top that with crispy speck, and you’ve got a combo that's just tender bean mash and crunchy cured pork. Speck, with its salty, smoky taste, is a Northern Italian favorite that gives the bean purée a real boost. And the thing is, it’s the kind of dish you’d see at big family dinners, alongside other fun twists like sweet potato or spinach purées.
This dish balances creamy beans with that crispy, meaty topping, and it’s so so good. The white bean purée makes a fantastic side or starter—pretty much perfect when you want something easy yet a bit fancy. Some folks even serve it as a dip with bread or veggies, letting everyone scoop up the tangy, crispy speck bits. And you know, compared to mashed potatoes, this bean purée recipe feels fresher and has that soft, golden color. Looks amazing on the table.
It’s such a simple way to get a taste of traditional Italian family meals, with a fun twist that keeps things interesting. Whether you call it a speck recipe, a smooth bean spread, or just a great excuse to eat more speck, this dish makes everyone happy. It shows how Italian kitchens love mixing the familiar with regional favorites, turning everyday ingredients into something special. Enjoying this dish feels like a cozy Italian dinner, where the simple things make life really really good. And you know what? You can't go wrong.
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INGREDIENTS
- Dried cannellini beans 1 ½ cup (300 g)
- Speck 3.5 oz (100 g) - sliced
- Garlic 1 clove
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil 3 spoonfuls
- Dill to taste
- for seasoning
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
How to prepare Bean purée with crispy speck
To prepare the bean purée, first soak the dried cannellini beans in cold water for about 12 hours 1, covering the bowl with food wrap. After the time has passed, drain the beans and rinse them under running water 2. In a pot, add the beans, cover them with cold water 3, and cook over medium heat for about 2 hours.
During cooking, we recommend skimming 4, if necessary. Using a ladle, transfer the cooked beans to a colander 5, discarding the cooking water but keeping some aside 6.
In a saucepan, add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, peeled garlic 7, and lightly brown. Add the beans 8, stirring with a wooden spoon 9;
season with salt 10 and pepper and cook for about 7 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove the garlic clove 11. And transfer the cooked beans to the blender 12.
Add a ladle of the reserved cooking water 13 and blend until a soft and lump-free purée is obtained 14. Transfer the cannellini bean purée to a plate 15.
On a cutting board, cut the slices of speck into strips 16. In a pan, add the speck 17 and brown over high heat without any seasoning until it becomes crispy 18.
Season the bean purée with a drizzle of olive oil 19, distribute the crispy speck 20, decorate with dill leaves, and serve immediately 21.