(Not Baked) - Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 9 oz dried beans (or 1.5lb drained beans) - You can use any you like - I use dried navy beans or tinned black beans

• 1 dried bay leaf

• 1 tbsp bacon fat/butter or lard

• 1 large onion diced

• 1 stick celery

• 2 cloves garlic grated

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1/2tsp smoked paprika

• 3⁄4 tsp dried oregano

• 3⁄4 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tbsp tomato puree

• 1 tin whole tomatoes

• 1 tbsp molasses

• 500 ml pork bone broth or stock from cooking a ham

• 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce

• 1 tbsp butter

• Salt and pepper to taste

  1.If using dried beans cook them according to package instructions with the bay leaf.

  2. In a separate large pan heat bacon fat (or lard or butter) over medium heat and fry diced onions for about 10 mins until soft.

  3. Stir in celery, garlic, spices and herbs and cook gently for 5 mins.

  4. Turn up the heat and add tomato puree, tomatoes, molasses bone broth, salt and pepper and cook for 30 mins

  5. Add the beans and simmer with a lid on for 30 mins. Remove lid towards the end to thicken the sauce if needed.

  6. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter then Add tamari a bit at a time, tasting before adding more as it is salty. Tips - For a smoky flavour you can add a smoked ham bone or use smoky bacon fat

  www.berkshirepork.net