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Italian Beans




Source of Recipe


Vicky (EDC)


Recipe Introduction


I just made a pot of beans that was worth sharing - let's call them ITALIAN BEANS.


Recipe Link: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-fdcooking&msg=6148.1

List of Ingredients




1 1/2 cups of dried navy beans

1# smoked bacon, chopped

2 TBS brown sugar, lightly packed

1 large white onion, chopped

about 2 TBS fresh cilantro, chopped

1 TBS each: dried oregano, dried basil, dried parsley - you could always use fresh if you had them but the dried is very good in this

2 heads of roasted garlic


Recipe



I used a pressure cooker but you don't have to.

Saute onions, bacon and brown sugar until onions are soft. Don't pour off the bacon grease unless there is just an excess. Leave some in for seasoning and to help keep the beans from foaming and clogging up the pressure cooker (at least 2 TBS). Add dried beans, squeeze out cloves of roasted garlic into pot, add herbs. Bring to high pressure at 15 lbs., lower temp and gently rock for 15-20 minutes. If beans are not quite done just bring back up to pressure for the amount of time you might think they need. I wouldn't imagine more than about 10 minutes - or you'll have Italian Refried Beans!!!! I guess you would serve that with pita bread??

Garnish with more chopped Cilantro and grated Pecorino, Parmesan, or Gruyere. Or, a mound, right in the center of fresh Mozarella.

I did not pre-soak my beans or pre-cook them. They turned out just fine and no "side effects". I didn't use as much water as is usually called for in a pressure cooker because I wanted a thicker "broth". Just make sure that everything is covered with water. We grilled some rustic bread (Ciabatti) spread with olive oil and the meal was wonderful.