Fried White Beans with Bacon, Garlic and Spinach

This simple recipe takes full advantage of the starchiness of cannellini beans. Frying the beans in the fat rendered from bacon combined with some fruity olive oil blisters, browns and crisps their exteriors, creating a pleasing contrast to the soft, creamy interiors. Garlic, smoked paprika and lemon juice are perfect flavor accents, and baby spinach wilted into the mix at the end of cooking rounds out the dish. For best crisping and to minimize splatter, pat the beans dry after draining them. And when frying, stir the beans only every minute or so. With some crusty bread alongside, this makes a great light main.