Chop the parsley as finely as possible and grate the yellow part of the lemon rind with the smallest side of the cheese grater available. If you have a lemon zester, use it.
½ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped, 2 teaspoons (1 lemon) lemon zest, finely grated
Mix in a bowl and set aside.
Preheat (toaster) oven to 400℉.
Mix tomatoes with olive oil directly in the baking pan.
1 ¼ pounds whole cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup olive oil
Sprinkle with chopped sage, salt, and pepper.
1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped (optional), ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Bake for about 25 minutes or until the tomatoes look wrinkly, start bursting, and slightly collapse. Set aside.
Heat olive oil in a deep skillet, over medium heat.
2 tablespoons olive oil
Add the chopped onions and cook and stir for about 3 minutes.
½ cup chopped red onion (yellow onion works too) - (about 1 onion)
Next, add red pepper flakes, tomato paste (or anchovies), and garlic.
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon minced garlic (4 cloves)
Stir for another 2 minutes.
Then, add beans and chicken or vegetable stock.
2 (15 - ounce) cans white beans (such as cannellini), rinsed, 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable stock
Bring to a simmer and let it simmer (uncovered) for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
It’s time to taste. It probably needs ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Taste again.
Add the roasted tomatoes (with all the pan juices) to the skillet, give it a good stir, and simmer (uncovered) for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste again. Maybe it needs a little more salt.
If using, add the baby spinach just for the last couple of minutes.
2 cups baby spinach (optional)
Serve with some toasted bread, and don’t forget to garnish with the lemon zest-parsley mixture. Enjoy!