Bean Stew

Disclaimer - I blame this on The Jolly Jabber Blog, they post recipes regularly, and I don't really like to cook, but I love this recipe and since they post recipes to their quilt blog, so can I :)

Here's a version of dinner that I've been making some Friday nights (it feeds a lot of hungry pool players). It starts, 24 hours ahead of time, by soaking 2 1/2 cups of mixed beans (Costco/Sam's Club for about $7). Three hours before you want to eat, rinse the beans and then boil them in 2 qts water with 4 huge carrots*, 2 bay leaves, 1 lb of meat**(optional) and 2 cubes of bullion (optional). As soon as it all boils turn it down to a simmer & stir occasionally for 2 hours. Then add a 14oz can of stewed tomatoes, 1 tsp of garlic or a crushed clove, half an onion (diced) and some lemon juice and simmer for about half an hour. Eat up!!

After a day it thickens and then I serve it on a bed of rice - super source of protein and fiber.

*your digestive system (and your friends) will appreciate the addition of the carrots, they "help" with bean issues :)
**so far I've used smoked turkey (cut into chunks), spicy Alaskan sausage (sliced rounds), ham, but you could easily go veggie and leave the meat out.