Savory Baked Beans

Total Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 cup dried navy beans (or other small beans)
• 3 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 1 tablespoon oil (your choice)
• 2 small sweet pickles, chopped
• 1 (8 1/4 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 wash and pick over beans. place them in a large saucepan and cover with the water. bring to a boil, and boil for 2 minutes. cover and let stand for 1 hour.
• 2 add bay leaf, garlic, onion and parsley to the beans. bring to a boil again. cover loosely and simmer for 45 minutes, or until beans are just tender. note: the times will vary with the type of bean you choose. drain, if necessary. put beans in 1 1/2-quart casserole.
• 3 meanwhile, saute celery in the oil for about 5 minutes. add pickles, tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. bring to a boil. simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 4 stir mixture into beans. cover. bake at 250° for 2 hours. uncover. sprinkle with the cheese. return to oven and bake 5 minutes longer.