Ingredients

  • 1 lb white beans
  • 7 cups chicken stock
  • 1 large potato, peeled and cubed
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large fennel bulb, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fennel leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • Tabasco sauce

Method

  • Heat a large pot and using enough olive oil to coat the bottom add the onions, garlic and fennal and saute about 10 minutes.
  • Add the beans, stock, and bay leaf.
  • Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer and cover.
  • Cook until the beans are soft, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
  • Add the potataoes and sausages and Tabasco and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and about ready to fall apart.
  • Season again with salt and pepper and Tabasco.
  • Serve and garnish with either a dab of unsalted butter or fruity, extra virgin olive oil and fennel fronds.