Italian Vegetable Dishes Recipes - Italian Beans (Fagioli Italiani) Recipe

• 450 g/1lb/2 2/3 cups dried white beans, soaked overnight

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 30 ml/2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp salt

• 1.5 m/1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 6 bacon rashers (slices), rinded and chopped

• 600 ml/2 1/2 cups water

Method:

1. Place the beans, garlic, basil, salt and pepper in a large flameproof casserole (Dutch oven) and stir well.

2. Add the bacon and cover with the water. Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 10 minutes.

3. Cover and bake in a preheated oven at 150°C/300°F/ gas mark 2 for 3 hours until the beans are tender.

4. Remove from the oven, strain off any excess liquid and serve at once.