Baked Beans

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 500 g beans, white, dried
• n. B. Water for soaking
• 800 g tomatoes, peeled, chopped
• 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
• 4 bay leaves
• 10 carnations
• 1 tbsp, heaped sugar, brown
• 150 g smoked bacon
• Salt and pepper, black
• e.g. olive oil

Instructions

Working time approx. 15 minutes; Rest period approx. 1 day; Cooking/baking time approx. 5 hours 45 minutes; Total time approx. 1 day 6 hours

Soak the beans in water for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours. Bring to a boil with the soaking water, adding a little more water if necessary. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Then drain and reserve the cooking water. Now add the tomatoes, onions, bay leaves, cloves, and sugar. Add enough cooking water to just cover the beans. Place the bacon on top of the beans. Bake in a covered pan in the oven at 150°C (top/bottom heat) for 4 hours. Then remove the lid, add a little more water if necessary, and bake for a further 1 hour. Finally, season with salt and pepper and stir in a little olive oil, if desired. They go well with fried eggs, sausages, bacon, and much more. The baked beans also make excellent preserves. I always prepare a larger batch and then cook the beans.