Recipe: My Favourite Baked Beans

From the Vitality Food Feature ‘ODE TO THE NAVY BEAN‘.

Even without the bacon traditionally used in this dish, these baked beans are full of great flavour. (Makes 8 servings)

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package dry navy beans
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, diced
• Dash each of sea salt and ground pepper
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2/3 cup of maple syrup

1) After precooking the beans, let them sit for one hour in the cooking liquid.

2) Add onion, green pepper, celery, salt, and pepper. Return to a boil and let simmer for 40 minutes.

3) Pour the mixture into a 6 litre casserole or roasting pan. Stir in tomato paste and maple syrup.

4) Bake covered at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) for 3 to 3-1/2 hours, until tender and thickened. (Add water or vegetable broth during cooking if needed). Serve.