Bud Spencer's Pan-Fried Beans

Bud Spencer’s pan-fried beans are a tribute to the famous actor who, in many of his movies, was involved with bean dishes, often in memorable scenes where he ate industrial quantities of them. The recipe is simple and hearty, just as the great Bud liked it.

Ingredients

• 400 g of dried beans (preferably borlotti or cannellini), or two cans of already cooked beans
• 150 g of smoked bacon, diced
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 400 g of tomato sauce
• 1 red chili pepper, chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Aromatic herbs to taste (rosemary, sage, thyme)
• Water or vegetable broth, if necessary

Preparation

1. If using dried beans, soak them in cold water overnight. The next day, drain them and cook in fresh water for about 1 hour or until they are tender.

2. If using canned beans instead, drain them and rinse under running water.

3. In a large pan, heat a drizzle of oil and add the bacon cubes. Sauté them until they become crispy.

4. Add the chopped onion (and chili pepper if you want some spiciness) and fry until it becomes translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.

5. Add the cooked beans to the pan and mix well.

6. Pour in the tomato sauce and add the aromatic herbs. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little water or broth to achieve the desired consistency.

7. Let it cook on medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Serve your Bud Spencer pan-fried beans hot, maybe accompanied by a slice of toasted homemade bread.

Curiosity

Bud Spencer (stage name of Carlo Pedersoli) was known not only for his films but also for being a great food lover. The iconic scene where he and Terence Hill consume huge plates of beans in “They Call Me Trinity” has become part of pop culture and a fun reference for fans when preparing this dish.