Healthy Meal / beans

My idea of a balanced meal is a plate full of green veggies with a side of slow cooked beans with a Red Apple Butchers hot Italian sausage.  A filling and delicious winter meal and yep, it's healthy too.  Of course, if you are going to eat meat, make sure it's from an animal raised on a healthy farm, certified humane and organic.  Or buy direct from a local farm or a butcher shop that only sells humanely raised farm animals like James and Jazu at Red Apple Butchers in Berkshire Organics.

This recipe takes about 35 minutes, most of which is cooking time. Getting the beans in the oven only takes about 5 minutes. Then you can make the Brussels sprouts while the beans cook.  These recipes easily double so you'll have healthy leftovers, cook once and get meals for days!

Sauteed Brussels sprouts, beans and sausage!

For the Beans you will need:

1 large onion, diced

2 (16-ounce) cans of organic beans - Amy’s Organic brand should be easy to find if you are in a hurry!  Or soak and cook your own dried beans.

3 tablespoons of your favorite spicy mustard

2 Tablesppons honey or maple syrup (optional)

4 tablespoons ketchup, we love First Field Ketchup from New Jersey

1 tablespoon Fire Cider or Apple Cider Vinegar

about 1/3 cup lard, olive oil or, my favorite, rendered bacon fat!

To Make:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a Dutch oven mix onion, beans, mustard, maple syrup or honey if using, ketchup, and Fire Cider.  Then mix in the fat, I highly recommend rendered bacon fat.

Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.

For the Brussels Sprouts:

In a cast iron pan, cover the bottom with prepared, halved Brussels sprouts.  Add a small amount of water, turn the heat up and cover.  Steam the sprouts until just tender. Pour off any excess water; add a knob of fresh pasture butter and sauté until golden brown.  Deglaze with a splash or two of Fire Cider, add salt to taste.

Add a cooked, sliced sausage from Red Apple Butchers or some Hosta Hill Tempeh to your beans for a balanced, healthy meal.