There has been a spate of “franks and beans” posts in my blogging community lately. I think it’s about comfort, don’t you? We are all so desperate for something that will make us feel good. For many of us, good books and silly movies are the refuge we seek. People have drifted from Facebook to pretty pictures on Instagram. And, many of us have turned to food. I know I did.
Comfort food is the key now. Salads would be sensible… but what if suddenly it’s Groundhog Day and 2020 repeats? I want the braised ribs. The creamy potatoes. The decadent desserts. The franks and beans.
One day (I’m losing track of real time), our friend Laura gave us some pork brats. Not the brats most people think of, though. These are what are known as white brats. Weißwurst. In Upstate New York, they are called “white hots,” although they are not spicy. They are one of my favorite sausages and we usually grill them and have them with mustard, as we often did in Germany and Austria.
One evening, Mark suggested we have them with a side of Italian white beans and sage. Sure, I thought, why not? Considering the culinary traditions of Northern Italy, a combination like this could happen. Then, I had an idea. Why not go full-comfort and make my own version of franks and beans. And that is what came to pass. Yes, it is beige on beige on beige, with a few flecks of sage… but I assure you that you won’t mind the bland colors when you tasted the symphony of flavor.
~ David
Developed and maintained by Inspiratech LLC.
Design by Themeshift.
Gerlinde
October 31, 2020 at 7:48 amGreat minds think alike. I made a vegetable soup with hot dogs yesterday. If I could find a good Weißwurst here in Santa Cruz I would make your dish right away. I love the addition of sage leaves in the beans.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2020 at 4:22 pmGerlinde — Trader Joe’s has Weißwurst — and it isn’t bad. Much better than any U.S. hot dog, for sure.
John / Kitchen Riffs
October 31, 2020 at 8:23 amComfort food at its finest! Franks and beans is such a popular combo that probably spans the globe. After all, what is cassoulet other than an elaborate version of the pairing? This looks great, and I like how your table cloth works so well with the beige theme. Very nice dish — thanks.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2020 at 4:23 pmVery good point, John! Cassoulet is the ultimate “franks and beans,” isn’t it? Speaking of which, I am due for a batch soon (or as soon as the weather is cool enough!)/
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
October 31, 2020 at 8:29 amI wonder if Weißwurst is similar to Bratwurst? Anyway, we could all use some comfort food these days, and I can never pass up a can of beans, especially when you add a bit of sage to it!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2020 at 4:24 pmAs I mentioned, some people call them white bratwurst — but most people think of a coarser sausage when thinking if bratwurst here in the states.
Eha Carr
October 31, 2020 at 4:05 pm*smile* Pray, what is wrong with beige ? My home bathes in it as does my wardrobe . . . with all the nuances available I would hardly call it dull !! And I love the look of your plate . . . Uhuh ! Have loved Weisswurst since childhood also . . . and here we are so lucky to have so very many central European butchers who know how to delicately spice them . . .absolutely delicious and not too sinful. And I would much rather reach for cannellini beans than potatoes . . . Australia is luckily in a rather upbeat mood this Sunday . . . we are carefully out of lockdown in many parts of the country looking in fear at what is happening in Europe and the US. And the ‘common man’ has shown approval as the huge overnight election win for one of the hardest ‘lockdown ladies’ in Queensland for a third term in government showed the mentality of the silent majority . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
October 31, 2020 at 4:28 pmWell, not everyone can pull off a beige wardrobe, which I am positive you can! And there is nothing wrong with it… we are just so trained to want a colorful plate put down in front of us. I generally despise the November issue of every American cooking magazine as it is undoubtedly dedicated to brown and beige food for Thanksgiving… 🙂
Jim Hopkins
October 31, 2020 at 6:30 pmA nice version of what was our every Saturday night meal – hot dogs and baked beans.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:24 amJust a week but different, Jim! 🙂 Hope you are well!
Suzo
November 1, 2020 at 3:54 amIt looks and sounds delicious! I could also picture a nice pumpernickel as an alternative to the beige bread 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:24 amThe pumpernickel sounds great — and brown works well with beige!
Susan
November 1, 2020 at 6:38 amBeans and weiners on toast has been a comfort food for me since I was a child. Aldi’s have decent weisswurt and brats.
Sage adds a touch of elegance to a basic food. Yummy
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:26 amIt is a wonderful combination, Susan — I have never shopped at an Audi’s but it sounds like a great store.
Pauline
November 1, 2020 at 1:25 pmA very nice post thanks. Here in Queensland we often have baked beans and tasty sausages, a bit more colorful than yours, but I love the beige symphony. I must try the white beans with sage, sounds delicious. We are into summer here so salads are starting to replace comfort food more often, but it has its place, definitely.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:26 amOh, Pauline – you should make the white bean and tuna salad from Italy. Fantastic and perfect summer fare! Stay cool!
sherry
November 1, 2020 at 6:47 pmI didn’t realise Thanksgiving food was beige, David! sounds a bit gloomy:) your dish looks very hearty, and appropriate for your coming winter. we of course (as pauline rightly says) are heading to a steamy QLD summer and salads are the go for us. La Nina has already started with huge storms on 4 days last week. Hopefully there will be no floods this summer tho.
take care
sherry
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:28 amWell, it isn’t entirely beige but pretty much so… turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turnips… you get the idea, Sherry! Stay cool – we are finally getting some cool weather here. Love it!
Rahul @samosastreet
November 1, 2020 at 6:54 pmI love such easy to make, 5 ingredients recipes. Loos so delicious and so comforting
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:28 amSometimes, Rahul, all you need is 5 ingredients!
Valentina
November 1, 2020 at 11:00 pmCannellini beans are my favorite beans. I even love them in salads. Ah yes, comfort food. This is a good one! If beige is this delicious, I love it! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:29 amAs one reader pointed out, beige can be very elegant. And, while this isn’t an elegant meal, I think you will enjoy it!
Frank Fariello
November 2, 2020 at 5:27 amYep, we could all use some comfort these days… I find listening to music helps, too. It’s become an even bigger part of my life during quarantine. So nice to have at least one activity that doesn’t involve staring at a screen!
And food, of course. You know, it’s an unfortunate for us food bloggers but some of the most delicious food is monochromatic or otherwise unphotogenic. Usually I try to distract the eye from such dishes with colorful plates and backgrounds but why not lean into it? Brilliant! And yes, I can imagine how tasty this was.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:31 amOh, Frank – we could do several posts on difficult-to-photograph meals! Things like tagines are the absolute worst! But there are ways, and we just need to be creative.
Music has been big for us, too. Funny that I didn’t mention it.
Ron
November 2, 2020 at 7:24 amA well-done dish and a great job of photographing a beige dish of food. We enjoy a variety of korv (sausage) over this way and many are based on german varieties. We can get Weisswurst from our local butcher by order and have had it the traditional way with sweet mustard and a soft pretzel, but not with beans. We have a similar version (fläskkorv) that is raw pork sauage with spices that you boil. It is traditionally served with potatoes boiled in milk and a side of peas. I’ll try our fläskkorv in your dish and report back. Thanks for the inspiration…
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:33 amI think that is definitely worth trying, Ron! If nothing else, you might great a new and better dish!
Aarthi
November 2, 2020 at 12:16 pmThe beans dish is always a hit at our house, they are so comforting plus a wholesome meal too. This looks perfect with less ingredients. Your presentations is so good too, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:33 amThanks so much Aarthi – you are so kind. What would we do without beans and lentils?
Raymund
November 3, 2020 at 11:18 amI love German sausages, they perfected making this and each one of them is a treat for me. You recipe looks nice and easy, such a comfort meal, I can have it anytime of the day.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:34 amI agree wholeheartedly, Raymund. Germans really do know their sausages!
sippitysup
November 5, 2020 at 11:07 amNo one rocks beige like you… GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:34 amRocking beige. Now there is a concept.
Gloria Roa Baker
November 5, 2020 at 1:44 pmWhat lovely and yummy are your recipes , really enjoy!and I love beans David !! hugs my friend
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:35 amThanks, Gloria! Beans are the best!
John
November 6, 2020 at 1:50 amI was at my not-so-local Euro (mainly Croatian) deli in Sydney the other week and spotted weisswurst. I picked it up, then got distracted by the black pudding. I bought it, instead. Silly me.
Now you come along, David and whip up this show-stopper. This is my kind of food, and so easy to knock together. Definitely trying this one when I get my hands on a white sausage. Ahem, I mean, you know what I mean!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:36 amYou have such restraint, John — I would have bought both sausages. That does remind me that I have blood sausages in the freezer – time to make Himmel und Erde!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 7, 2020 at 8:40 amAnd, yes… I know what you mean! 🤣🤣🤣
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
November 7, 2020 at 8:38 pmComfort food for sure David!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 8, 2020 at 1:52 pmYep – and not a moment too soon!
Susan Manfull
November 9, 2020 at 12:12 pmThe best beige meal I’ve ever eaten! But, that splash of green makes all the difference!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 11, 2020 at 11:22 amSometimes, even our sage turns brown, Susan!
Christina Conte
November 15, 2020 at 6:23 pmI must have seen this on FB and IG and missed coming to see it here! This is my perfect dish: two of my very favorite things together, sausages and beans! I have some bratwurst and beans so I really need to make this! Why haven’t I thought of it before?! Thank you, David!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 22, 2020 at 3:25 pmThanks, Christina! It is amazing how two things can pair together so beautifully – without any effort on our parts!