Anti Inflammatory Harissa-Orange Cannellini Beans with Fennel
This one-pan dish is a serious weeknight hero — deeply savory, a little smoky, and brightened by a hit of fresh orange that makes the whole thing feel alive. Caramelized fennel forms the aromatic backbone, cooked low and slow until golden at the edges before garlic, cumin, and turmeric join the pan and bloom into something fragrant and complex. Harissa paste brings gentle heat and depth, while the citrus zest and juice cut through the richness in a way that keeps every bite feeling balanced rather than heavy. Cannellini beans soak up all of that glossy, lightly thickened sauce beautifully — and crushing a few against the pan is a small step that makes a big textural difference. Nearly every ingredient here — olive oil, turmeric, fennel, legumes, citrus — is a recognized pillar of an inflammation-conscious kitchen, so this dish earns its place without any workarounds or substitutions. Finished with torn fennel fronds and fresh parsley, it looks genuinely stunning for something that comes together in under 30 minutes. Serves four, and honestly reheats even better the next day.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium fennel bulb, halved, cored, and thinly sliced (fronds reserved)
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 orange)
- ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- salt and pepper, to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
- reserved fennel fronds, roughly torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the sliced fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden at the edges, about 8–10 minutes.
- 2
Add the garlic, cumin, and turmeric and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Watch closely so the garlic does not brown.
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