• Letters from CAMP Rehoboth
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Advertising Information
    • Where Can I Get Letters?
    • The Write Stuff
  • Events
    • Block Party 2023
    • SUNFESTIVAL 2023
    • Women's FEST
    • CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Ensemble - Music of the Night
  • Programs
    • Arts & Culture
    • Education & Advocacy
    • Health & Wellness
    • Community Building
    • CAMP Facilities
  • About Us
    • Membership
    • Volunteers
    • Board of Directors
    • CAMP Rehoboth Staff
    • Reports and Financials
    • History
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Press
  • Resources
    • Beach Guide Directory
    • LGBTQ Resources
    • LGBTQ Providers
    • LGBTQ Delaware Data
    • Trans & Nonbinary Resources
    • BIPOC LGBTQ Resources
    • LGBTQ Local and National Resources Guide
  • Contact
  • Shop
close× Call Us 302-227-5620
close×

Search form

GA4 Tracking Code

June 29, 2022 - The Sea Salt Table by Ed Castelli

Quick-N-Easy Tuscan Beans

 

As a young couple, my husband and I vacationed at his aunt’s trailer a few miles in from Bethany. It was just this side of camping. The water was sulfuric. The AC sporadic. And the sagging mattress forced us to spoon in the hottest heat. It was, in short, the best of times.


Like all couples starting their lives together, we were frugal. Doris never wanted a dime, but we opted to pay her anyway in chores. Every summer we cleaned a bale’s worth of pine needles from the gutters. We painted slats for the screened porch. Removed moss from the roof and mowed the sandy grass. We enjoyed the work because, simply put, we were tickled pink to be at the beach.


I have the warmest memories of our times there, although making meals was challenging. Kitchen creature comforts were lacking. Yes, there were drawers stuffed with parts of gadgets. And bendy knives duller than reading the phonebook. Even a rickety grill you could pull from a spidery garage. But make no mistake, it was culinary roughing it.


Yet, standing at that kitchen’s little crank-up window, watching my husband putter, all I could do was smile. We made do. Like the time we brewed our Maxwell House using a paper towel for a filter. Actually, that’s a lie. I’m sure the coffee was off-brand.


We’re blessed now to have a place of our own near Bethany. It’s modest but I still marvel at simple things like our beautiful, bright transom windows. How did us boys get to a point in life where we own two food processors? Let alone two houses? We’ve come a long way.


This recipe is reminiscent of something I would have made at the trailer because of its simplicity. Only a few ingredients, with little to no prep. Sort of a dump it, heat it, eat it.


Let’s get started, shall we?

 

 Mix these ingredients over medium heat, gently stirring to break up the tomatoes:
• 2 15-16 oz cans great northern or cannellini beans
• 14.5 oz can stewed tomatoes
• 1 Tbl balsamic vinegar
• ½ to 1 Tbl chopped fresh rosemary
• Fresh cracked pepper to taste
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper, optional
 Bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Serve.


These beans are great as is. But if you want to do a little more cooking or just want to bump up the flavor, first sauté:


• 2 oz diced pancetta or bacon
When nearly crisp, drain most of the fat, and add:
• ½ to 1 Tbl chopped fresh sage
• ½ cup chopped leeks, or any onion you have on hand


Cook until leeks/onions are tender and golden, then add:


• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 2 Tbl wine (I prefer white, but use what you have open)

Deglaze all the browned bits and cook until the wine has evaporated. Add the beans and all other ingredients, proceeding with the rest of the recipe. ▼


Ed and his husband Jerry split their time between homes near Harrisburg Pennsylvania and Bethany Beach. Ed builds websites to pay the bills but loves to cook, garden, hike, and dote on their dog Atticus. Recipe requests and feedback welcome: ed@seasalttable.com. 

‹ June 29, 2022 - Dining Out by Michael Gilles up June 29, 2022 - Straight Talk by David Garrett ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • February 4, 2022 - Issue Index
  • March 4, 2022 - Issue Index
  • April 1, 2022 - Issue Index
  • May 6, 2022 - Issue Index
  • May 27, 2022 - Issue Index
  • June 17, 2022 - Issue Index
  • July 8, 2022 - Issue Index
  • July 29, 2022 - Issue Index
    • July 29, 2022 - Cover to Cover with Issuu
    • July 29, 2022 - From the Editor by Marj Shannon
    • July 29, 2022 - In Brief
    • July 29, 2022 - President's View by Wesley Combs
    • July 29, 2022 - The Sounds of Sundance 2022 by Nancy Sakaduski
    • July 29, 2022 - CAMP News
    • July 29, 2022 - Community News
    • July 29, 2022 - Getting To Know You by Wesley Combs
    • July 29, 2022 - Aging Gracelessly by Fay Jacobs
    • July 29, 2022 - Guest House Chronicles by Tom Kelch
    • July 29, 2022 - Out & About by Eric C. Peterson
    • July 29, 2022 - AIDS Walk 2022 by Glen Pruitt
    • July 29, 2022 - CAMP Stories by Rich Barnett
    • July 29, 2022 - Health & Wellness by Pattie Cinelli
    • July 29, 2022 - Health & Wellness: Classes + Events
    • July 29, 2022 - It’s My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • July 29, 2022 - Words Matter by Clarence Fluker
    • July 29, 2022 - OUTlook by Beth Shockley
    • July 29, 2022 - LGBTQ+ YA Column by Julian Harbaugh
    • July 29, 2022 - Training CAMP by Jon Adler Kaplan
    • July 29, 2022 - BE A SPORT! by JuneRose “JR” Futcher
    • June 29, 2022 - Dining Out by Michael Gilles
    • June 29, 2022 - The Sea Salt Table by Ed Castelli
    • June 29, 2022 - Straight Talk by David Garrett
    • July 29, 2022 - CAMPshots
    • July 29, 2022 - Deep Inside Hollywood by Romeo San Vicente
    • July 29, 2022 - Spotlight on the Arts by Doug Yetter
    • July 29, 2022 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • July 29, 2022 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker
    • July 29, 2022 - Bowen on Fire (Island) by Chris Azzopardi
    • July 29, 2022 - Byways by Mikey Rox
    • July 29, 2022 - Celebrity Interview by Michael Cook
    • July 29, 2022 - The Real Dirt by Eric W. Wahl
    • July 29, 2022 - View Point by Richard J. Rosendall
    • July 29, 2022 - We Remember
  • August 19, 2022 - Issue Index
  • September 16, 2022 - Issue Index
  • October 14, 2022 - Issue Index
  • November 18, 2022 - Issue Index
  • December 16, 2022 - Issue Index

Follow Us

Follow us on Social Media!

RECEIVE WEEKLY EMAIL

Information

  • Letters
  • Events
  • About Us
  • CAMP Center

Support CAMP

  • CAMP Membership
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
Copyright © CAMP Rehoboth, 2023
  • p. 302-227-5620
  • info@camprehoboth.com
  • 37 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971