Description
A creamy, flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender leeks, zucchini, and cannellini beans in a luscious lemony sauce with crispy bacon and a hint of za'atar. Perfect for a satisfying and quick meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 leek, thinly sliced
- 2 medium zucchinis (about 14 -18 oz or 400 – 500g)
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
Beans and Dairy
- 2 x 400g cans of cannellini beans, plus their liquid
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup parmesan, grated
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon za’atar (plus extra to finish)
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Set a large, high-sided pan over medium-high heat then add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring, for about five minutes, until the bacon is nice and crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside on a plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for flavor.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan, then add the sliced leek, zucchini, and crushed garlic, along with 1 teaspoon of salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks and zucchini are softened, about 10 minutes. Add a splash of oil if needed to prevent sticking.
- Add beans and cream: Pour in the cannellini beans with their liquid, then add ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup grated parmesan, 1 tablespoon za’atar, and 1 teaspoon fish sauce if using. Stir continuously as the sour cream and cheese melt into a creamy sauce. Lower the heat to low and let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Finish and serve: Stir the crispy bacon back into the pan along with most of the lemon zest. Mix well to distribute flavors, then scatter the remaining lemon zest and a sprinkle of extra za’atar on top. Divide between plates and serve immediately, ideally with soft garlic flatbreads or your choice of warm bread.
Notes
- Use thicker bacon slices for extra crispy texture and smoky flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use olive oil or vegan bacon alternatives.
- If you don't have za’atar, substitute with a mix of oregano, thyme, and sesame seeds.
- Use fish sauce sparingly or omit if you prefer a milder flavor profile.
- Serve with garlic flatbread, no-knead focaccia, rosemary parmesan bread, or 2-ingredient dough naan for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 300g
- Calories: 321 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1224.9 mg
- Fat: 16.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30.3 g
- Fiber: 7.3 g
- Protein: 14.7 g
- Cholesterol: 22.5 mg
