# @dianemorrisey on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc8tReUJH9-
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70009380-dianemorrisey-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b596028bb2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-06T14:05:04.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Diane Morrisey (@dianemorrisey) — https://gondola.cc/dianemorrisey

## Caption

The question I get asked the most often is how do I get protein in my diet since I don’t eat meat.  The thing that always pops up in my head first is beans.  I eat them all ways pretty much every day.  And usually a braised bean recipe is getting made in some version several times a week in my House.  Beans are incredibly cost effective, so versatile and delicious and packed with a ton of protein.  This easy recipe uses butter beans (but you can just as easily use cannellini beans or chick peas) and braises them in crushed tomatoes onion and garlic. I add spinach but you can easily add kale or broccoli rabe. It all simmers together and then I like to serve it over cheesy polenta. 

** To serve this I will break up some burrata cheese over the beans.  Drizzle with a little olive oil and crack some black pepper on top.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley and some toasted pine nuts 
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Braised Butter Beans with Spinach over Cheesy Polenta 
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In 3 tbls of olive oil, sauté one medium chopped onion, and three cloves of chopped garlic for about 3-5 minutes or until tender. Add 1 (28oz) can of crushed tomatoes and 1 cup of vegetable or chicken broth.  I add a tbls if Calabrian chili paste for some heat but if you don’t have that you can just add a pinch of chili flakes.  Season with salt and pepper and let simmer for 10 minutes.  Drain and rinse 2 (15oz) cans of butter beans and add them to the tomatoes.  Let simmer for 5 minutes.  Add 3 or 4 large handfuls of baby spinach and stir it in.  The heat will wilt it.  Add 1/4 cup chopped parsley and let simmer together for 5 more minutes.  Check for seasoning.

Polenta:
2 cups water
1 cup milk 
(Or you can just use 3 cups of water)
1 cup polenta
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 tbls butter

Add the water and milk  to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Add the polenta, whisking continuously.
Cook stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly, about 15 minutes. Take off the heat and add the parmesan, butter, and salt and stir until smooth. 
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#braisedbeans #polenta #butterbeans

## Stats

- **Views:** 36,108
- **Likes:** 1,238
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 51

## Tags

braisedbeans, polenta, butterbeans

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