Azore-style Feijos (beans)

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 cups dried pink beans, picked over and soaked
• 8 cups water
• 3 -4 slices bacon, crisply cooked (substitute ham hock, read note*)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander seed
• 5 -6 whole cloves
• 8 whole allspice
• 2 bay leaves
• 6 ounces tomatoes (diced or pureed)
• salt and pepper

Recipe

• 1 *note: can also substitute sausage for the bacon or ham hock. portuguese linguica, spanish chorizo or louisiana andouille, vegetarian "soyrizo", etc. are suggestions. my preference being bacon as i don't care for sausage or ham hock.
• 2 for additional flavor, i usually dry roast the spices in a castiron skillet.
• 3 soak the beans overnight. cook the bacon or ham hock and drain on paper towel. next saute the onion and garlic. once cooled, break up the bacon into little pieces.
• 4 in large dutch oven or in crock pot, combine all the ingredients, including the water, excluding the salt. if using a dutch oven, simmer the beans on medium-low for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are soft.
• 5 if using a crock pot simmer on low 8 hours or until beans are soft. salt the beans once cooked.
• 6 adjust seasoning before serving. now season with salt.
• 7 remove whole cloves, cinnamon stick and whole allspice.
• 8 great with freshly baked, crusty bread. tastes even better if prepared one day ahead then warmed.