iamchum/robs.kitchen_recipe_dataset huggingface dataset:
Bittersweet Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 oz fine-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped
1/2 cup hazelnuts or sliced almonds, finely chopped (not in a food processor)
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar for coating

Instructions:
Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until combined.
Beat together butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with paddle attachment) or 4 minutes with a handheld. Add egg and vanilla, beating until combined. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and mix until combined well. Add chocolate and nuts and mix until just combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough until firm, about 30 minutes.
Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 325°F.
Roll 1 scant tablespoon of dough into a 1-inch ball, then flatten slightly with palm of your hand to form a 1/3-inch-thick disk and coat with confectioners sugar. Make more cookies in same manner, arranging them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until they puff up and tops crack slightly, 8 to 10 minutes total, then transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool completely. Recoat cookies with confectioners sugar.
Polish Apricot-Filled Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 2 teaspoons water for egg wash
1 3/4 cups coarsely chopped dried apricots (10 oz)
1/2 cup golden raisins
2/3 cup mild honey
1/4 cup sweet orange marmalade
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water
Garnish: confectioners sugar
parchment paper

Instructions:
Whisk together flour and salt in a bowl until combined.
Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with a paddle attachment) or 6 minutes with a handheld. Reduce mixer speed to low, then add flour mixture and mix just until combined.
Divide dough into 4 equal pieces and wrap each in plastic wrap. Chill until firm, about 1 1/2 hours.
Bring apricots, raisins, honey, marmalade, cinnamon and water to a boil in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until dried fruit is softened and mixture is thick, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and cool until warm, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Chill until cold, about 2 hours.
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
Roll out 1 piece of dough (keep remaining pieces chilled) between 2 (12-inch) sheets of well-floured wax paper with a rolling pin into a roughly 11-inch square. (If dough gets too soft, transfer dough in wax paper to a baking sheet and chill until firm.) Discard top sheet of wax paper and trim dough with a pastry wheel or sharp knife into a 10-inch square. Cut square into 4 equal strips, then cut crosswise in fourths again to form a total of 16 (2 1/2-inch) squares.
Working quickly, place 1 heaping teaspoon filling in center of each square. Brush 2 opposite corners with egg wash, then bring corners together and pinch firmly to adhere. (If dough becomes too soft, freeze it on a baking sheet for a few minutes.)
Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake until golden, 17 to 20 minutes, then transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool completely. Make more cookies with remaining dough and filling on a lined cooled baking sheet.
Anise Sesame Cookies

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon whole anise seeds
2 tablespoons boiling-hot water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sesame seeds, lightly toasted
a 2 1/2-inch fluted round cookie cutter

Instructions:
Soak anise seeds in boiling-hot water until most of water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
Beat together butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with paddle attachment) or 4 minutes with a handheld. Beat in 1 egg and anise seeds with any remaining soaking liquid until combined. Reduce speed to low, then mix in flour mixture until just combined.
Divide dough into 4 balls and flatten each into a 4-inch disk. Chill disks, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm, about 3 hours.
Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
While oven preheats, roll out 1 piece of dough (keep remaining dough chilled) on a well-floured surface with a well-floured rolling pin into a 7-inch round (slightly less than 1/4 inch thick; if dough becomes too soft to roll out, chill on a baking sheet until firm). Cut out as many cookies as possible from dough with cutter and transfer to 2 ungreased large baking sheets, arranging cookies about 1 inch apart. Beat remaining egg in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon water to make an egg wash. Brush each cookie lightly with egg wash, then sprinkle with some of sesame seeds.
Bake cookies, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until bottoms are golden, 10 to 12 minutes total, then transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool completely.
Gather scraps and chill until firm enough to reroll. Make more cookies with remaining dough, scraps (reroll only once), and sesame seeds, then bake on cooled sheets.
Almond Bar Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup packed canned almond paste* (about 5 oz; not marzipan), coarsely crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, separated
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sliced almonds (about 1 1/2 oz)

Instructions:
Pulse almond paste in a food processor until broken up into small bits, then add salt and 1/4 cup sugar and continue to pulse until finely ground, about 1 minute.
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan, then line with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 opposite sides, and butter foil.
Beat together butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes in a stand mixer (preferably fitted with a paddle attachment) or 6 minutes with a handheld. Add almond mixture, egg yolk, and almond extract and beat until combined well, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, then add flour and mix until combined. Spread batter evenly in pan with an offset spatula. Lightly beat egg white in a small bowl, then brush some of it over batter and sprinkle evenly with almonds.
Bake until top is golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack, about 1 hour. Transfer with foil to a cutting board, then discard foil. Cut into squares or rounds.
*Available at Sweet Celebrations (800-328-6722).
Applesauce with Butter Pecan Crumbs

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1 slice firm white sandwich bread with crust, coarsely ground in a food processor (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup bottled chunky applesauce
Garnish: lightly sweetened whipped cream

Instructions:
Heat butter in an 8-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook nuts and bread crumbs with a pinch of salt, stirring constantly, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
Spoon applesauce into a goblet or other glass, then sprinkle with crumb mixture.
Espagnole Sauce

Ingredients:
1 small carrot, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups hot beef stock or reconstituted beef-veal demi-glace concentrate*
1/4 cup canned tomato purée
2 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 celery rib, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf

Instructions:
Cook carrot and onion in butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Add flour and cook roux over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until medium brown, 6 to 10 minutes. Add hot stock in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, then add tomato purée, garlic, celery, peppercorns, and bay leaf and bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 3 cups, about 45 minutes.
Pour sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids.
*Available at some specialty foods shops and cooking.com (stock requires a dilution ratio of 1:16; 1/4 cup concentrate to 4 cups water).
Creamed Spinach

Ingredients:
3 lb baby spinach
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions:
Cook spinach in 2 batches in 1 inch of boiling salted water in an 8-quart pot, stirring constantly, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Squeeze small handfuls of spinach to remove as much moisture as possible, then coarsely chop.
Heat milk and cream in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until warm. Meanwhile, cook onion in butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes. Add warm milk mixture in a fast stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer, whisking, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in nutmeg, spinach, and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Mâche Salad with Creole Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
1 yolk from a large hard-boiled egg
2 3/4 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
"16 cups loosely packed mâche (lambs lettuce; see above)"

Instructions:
Crumble yolk into a blender, then add vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper and blend until combined well. With motor running, add oil in a slow stream, blending until combined well.
Toss mâche with vinaigrette just before serving.
Bulgur with Apricots and Almonds

Ingredients:
1/3 cup sliced almonds (1 oz)
1 small onion, finely chopped (3/4 cup)
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 cups medium bulgur
1 1/3 cups water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (2 oz)
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions:
Toast almonds in a dry small heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until fragrant and pale golden, about 2 minutes.
Cook onion in oil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until softened and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add bulgur and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
Stir in water, salt, and pepper and simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, then add apricots and butter and stir until butter is melted. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and almonds.
Grilled Cheddar and Fennel Sandwiches with Curry Mayo

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
2 teaspoons curry powder (preferably Madras)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 baguette
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 lb extra-sharp Cheddar
1/4 cup very thinly sliced fennel bulb (sometimes called anise; quartered lengthwise and cored before slicing)

Instructions:
Cook shallot and curry powder in oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderate heat, stirring, 2 minutes, then transfer to a small bowl and stir in mayonnaise and lemon juice. Wipe skillet clean and set aside.
Cut 16 (1/4-inch-thick) diagonal slices (about 6 inches long) from baguette. Spread 1 side of each slice with butter, then turn over and spread opposite side with curry mayonnaise. Cut cheese into thin slices no wider than bread slices. Divide cheese among 8 slices of bread, then top with fennel and remaining slices of bread, buttered sides up.
Heat skillet over moderate heat until hot, then cook sandwiches in 2 batches, turning over once and pressing occasionally, until browned and cheese is melted, about 7 minutes per batch.
Sauteed Pork Chop with Sage-Cider Cream Sauce

Ingredients:
1 (1-inch-thick) rib pork chop
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley
an instant-read thermometer

Instructions:
Pat chop dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in an 8- to 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chop, turning over once, 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer with tongs to a plate.
Pour off all but 1 teaspoon fat from skillet and reduce heat to moderate, then cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Add vinegar and boil until liquid is evaporated, about 3 seconds.
Return chop to skillet along with any juices accumulated on plate, then add water, cream, and sage and simmer, covered, without turning, until thermometer inserted horizontally into center of chop (avoid bone) registers 150°F, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer chop to a clean plate, then simmer sauce, uncovered, stirring, until liquid is reduced to about 3 tablespoons, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over chop.
Braised Chicken with Celery Root and Garlic

Ingredients:
3 lb chicken parts such as breasts and thighs (with skin and bone) and drumsticks
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 celery root (sometimes called celeriac; 1 1/4 lb), peeled with a sharp knife and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 head garlic, cloves separated and left unpeeled
1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (10 fl oz)
2 fresh thyme sprigs
Accompaniment: crusty bread
Garnish: fresh thyme

Instructions:
Pat chicken dry and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown chicken, starting skin sides down, turning over once, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet.
Add butter to skillet and heat over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté celery root and garlic, stirring frequently, until celery root is browned, about 5 minutes.
Add broth and thyme and deglaze skillet by boiling, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, 1 minute. Return chicken, skin sides up, to skillet along with any juices accumulated on plate, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes for white meat, about 25 minutes for dark meat. Transfer chicken to a serving bowl as cooked and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.
When all chicken pieces are done cooking, transfer sauce and vegetables to bowl with chicken, discarding thyme.
Baked Chicken with White Beans and Tomatoes

Ingredients:
6 bacon slices (1/4 lb total), cut into 1-inch pieces
4 large chicken thighs with skin and bone (1 1/2 lb total)
2 medium onions, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 (14- to 16-oz) can stewed tomatoes including juice
2 (15- to 16-oz) cans small white beans
rinsed and drained

Instructions:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook bacon in a 10-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, reserving fat in skillet.
While bacon is browning, pat chicken dry and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Brown chicken in fat in skillet over moderately high heat, turning over once, about 8 minutes total, then transfer chicken with tongs to paper towels to drain.
Pour off all but 3 tablespoons fat from skillet and reduce heat to moderate. Cook onions in skillet with 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Stir tomatoes and juice into onions and boil, uncovered, 3 minutes, to concentrate juices slightly. Stir in bacon and beans and bring to a simmer. Nestle chicken, skin side up, in beans and bake, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
Beef Tenderloin with Mushrooms and Espagnole Sauce

Ingredients:
2 (2 1/2-lb) pieces trimmed center-cut beef tenderloin roast
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 lb small fresh cremini mushrooms, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
1/2 cup medium-dry Sherry
2 2/3 cupsespagnole sauce
an instant-read thermometer

Instructions:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F.
Remove any strings from beef if tied, then pat beef dry and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Heat oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until just smoking, then sear beef 1 piece at a time, turning with tongs, until well browned, about 5 minutes each. (If beef tenderloin pieces are too long to fit into skillet, halve each crosswise, then brown 2 pieces at a time.) Transfer beef to an 18- by 12-inch flameproof roasting pan, reserving skillet.
Roast beef in oven until thermometer inserted diagonally 2 inches into center of each piece registers 120°F, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer beef to a cutting board, reserving roasting pan, and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 25 minutes. (Beef will continue to cook as it stands, reaching 130°F for medium-rare.)
While beef roasts, heat butter in skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then reduce heat to moderate and cook mushrooms, stirring, until liquid they give off is evaporated and mushrooms are pale golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
While beef stands, straddle roasting pan across 2 burners, then add Sherry and deglaze pan by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Add Sherry mixture and espagnole sauce to mushrooms and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until warm. Cover skillet and remove from heat.
Cut off and discard strings from beef and cut meat crosswise into 10 or 20 slices. Pour any juices on cutting board into sauce and heat over moderate heat, stirring, until hot.
Serve beef with sauce.
Striped Bass in Agrodolce Sauce

Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 lb shallots (about 10 large or 15 medium), trimmed, leaving root end intact, and quartered lengthwise (halved if small)
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
1 cup white balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 California bay leaf (or 2 Turkish)
8 (6- to 7-oz) pieces farm-raised striped bass fillet (1/2 inch thick), skinned
Garnish: chopped fennel fronds

Instructions:
Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12- to 13-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté shallots, stirring occasionally, until browned and just tender, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add wine, vinegar, water, sugar, raisins, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and bay leaf, then briskly simmer, stirring occasionally, until shallots are very tender and liquid is thick and syrupy, 40 to 45 minutes. (If liquid is reduced before shallots are tender, add 1/2 cup water and continue to simmer.)
Pat fish dry, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Fold fillets in half, skinned side in.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté 4 folded fillets, turning over once, until deep golden, 4 to 6 minutes total. Put cooked fish (still folded) on top of sauce in heavy skillet. Wipe out nonstick skillet and sauté remaining 4 fillets in remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same manner, transferring to sauce.
Cook, partially covered, over moderate heat until fish is just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Smoked Whitefish on Cucumber Rounds

Ingredients:
2 large seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped; about 2 lb total)
1/2 cup diced (1/4-inch) Granny Smith apple (less than 1)
1/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill plus 36 whole small fresh dill sprigs
1 1/4 cups flaked smoked whitefish (1/2 lb)

Instructions:
Cut 36 (1/3-inch-thick) slices from cucumbers, reserving remaining cucumber. Scoop out and discard some cucumber from center of each round with a melon-ball cutter or a small spoon to create an indentation (leaving bottom intact).
Cut enough of remaining cucumber into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1/2 cup.
Toss diced cucumber with apple, sour cream, shallot, zest, lemon juice, pepper, chopped dill, and salt to taste. Fold in whitefish.
Mound 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons fish mixture onto each cucumber round. Top with dill sprigs.
Spicy Tomato Soup

Ingredients:
2 (28- to 32-oz) cans whole tomatoes in juice (preferably organic)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped (2 1/4 cups)
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh jalapeño chile including seeds
2 teaspoons finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (18 fl oz)
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
2 teaspoons salt
or to taste

Instructions:
Drain 1 can tomatoes, discarding juice, then purée with remaining can tomatoes (including juice) in a blender.
Cook onion, garlic, chile, and ginger in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy nonreactive pot over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Add cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in puréed tomatoes, broth, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Working in 3 or 4 batches, blend soup in blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Transfer soup as blended to a sieve set over a large bowl and force through sieve, discarding seeds.
Stir in sugar and salt to taste. Reheat in cleaned saucepan if necessary.
Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups dried black beans (10 oz), picked over and rinsed
8 bacon slices (7 oz), chopped (1 cup)
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped seeded fresh jalape&241;o chile
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
3 qt reduced-sodium chicken broth (96 fl oz)
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Accompaniments: sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro
Accompaniments: sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:
Cover beans with cold water by 3 inches in a bowl and soak at room temperature at least 8 hours, or quick-soak (see cooks' note, below). Drain well in a colander.
Cook bacon in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a small bowl and pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot. Reserve 2 tablespoons chopped bacon for topping, then return remaining bacon to pot and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, chile, oregano, bay leaf, and thyme and sauté, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
Add beans, chicken broth, and white pepper and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until beans are very tender, about 2 1/2 hours. Discard bay leaf and stir in cilantro.
Serve soup topped with sour cream, chopped cilantro, and reserved bacon.