This is a dish from the Eastern seaboard of America, where the pork and beans are traditionally simmered slowly in an earthenware casserole. It is the kind of dish that you can prepare ahead and leave to bubble away while you tend to other things. Baked jacket potatoes and crusty bread are perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Instead of soaking and cooking dried beans, add a can of cannellini beans, about 400 g, drained and rinsed, at the beginning of step 3.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid compound and a valuable antioxidant that is thought to protect against prostate, bladder and pancreatic cancers. Lycopene is enhanced by cooking and so is most readily available in processed tomato products, such as canned tomatoes, tomato purée and passata, and tomato ketchup.
Excellent source of iron, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, zinc. Good source of calcium, vitamin C. Useful source of folate.
Great tasting and very easy. Would cook again - 15 Dec 2010