Italian Bell Pepper Beans

Sort & rinse:
2 c great northern, navy,
or cannellini beans
or black-eyed peas

Put the beans in a bowl & add:
water
to cover them by 2" - 3"
& let soak for at least 7 hrs.,
or overnight.

In the morning,
rinse the soaked beans & drain.

Stovetop or Oven cooking options below:

(Stovetop)
After draining, put beans in a large pot.

Cover the beans with:
1 1/2" of water
above the beans & bring to a gentle boil.
Reduce heat, cover & simmer 15 min.
Stir occasionally.
Then simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. or more, depending on the size & freshness of the beans, until beans mash easily.
Stir occasionally, adding more water if the beans get too dry.

After beans are soft, add:
2 c diced red, orange
and/or yellow bell peppers
1 c diced onions
2 1/2 t salt
to the large pot & simmer with the lid still slightly ajar for 30 min. more.
Stir occasionally.

Add:
2 t minced onion flakes
2 t celery flakes
2 t rosemary
1 t oregano
to the large pot & simmer with the lid still slightly ajar for 15 min. more.
Stir occasionally.

After cooking, can add at the end:
1 - 2 t virgin olive oil
to the dish & stir.

Serve
or cool down & refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can freeze, but will need to be thawed, then put in a pot with a little water & heat on med. high while stirring for 3 - 5 min.

(Oven)
After draining, put beans in a large casserole dish.
Preheat oven at 400º

Cover the beans with:
1 1/2" - 2" of water
above the beans.
Bake uncovered at 400º for 2 1/2 hrs. or more, depending on the size & freshness of the beans, until beans mash easily.
Take out & stir after baking 1 hr.

After beans are soft, add a little at a time, stirring in between:
2 c diced red, orange
and/or yellow bell peppers
1 c diced onions
2 1/2 t salt
to the large casserole dish & continue baking covered with a lid slightly ajar
at 400º for 45 min. more.

Add:
2 t minced onion flakes
2 t celery flakes
2 t rosemary
1 t oregano
to the large casserole dish, stir & bake uncovered at 400º for 15 min. more.

After baking, can add at the end:
1 - 2 t virgin olive oil
to the casserole dish & stir.

Serve
or cool down & refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can freeze, but will need to be thawed, then put in a pot with a little water & heat on med. high while stirring for 3 - 5 min.

___________________________________________________________________