bean there

I was looking for a particular recipe involving anchovies and cream, but once i had seen this (Nigel Slater, Real Cooking; Tomato, bean and bacon stew) i searched no further for supper. It would be a more economical dish if you used dried beans as Nigel suggests, soaked over night and then cooked for an hour or so. I had a jar of particularly delicious high quality cannellini that i like to use, for speed as well as taste.

Heat a heavy pan with a slug of olive oil and gently cook 2 sliced leeks, a stalk or two of finely sliced celery, a red pepper; chopped, until softened. Add a little packet of pancetta pieces (or chopped bacon) and 4 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped, cook until the fat colours. Add a tin of tomatoes, a jar of white beans and a couple of bay leaves. Simmer for half an hour or so, then add a handful of shredded cabbage. Another 20 minutes at a gentle bubble and season with salt and pepper.

"Has he fucked your arse yet?"

We're taking it slow, i tell him, trying not to dwell on a memory of another's assertive hand on the back of my neck.