Portuguese Style Baked Beans

chorizo

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey sausage reduces fat while still providing flavor.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers similar health benefits with a neutral flavor.

bay leaves

🥗Healthier: thyme

💰Cheaper: oregano

Thyme adds aromatic flavor and is often more accessible.

black pepper

🥗Healthier: white pepper

💰Cheaper: none

White pepper offers a milder flavor without added cost.

Soak navy beans for about an hour (preferably overnight).

Rinse the soaked beans and place them in a pot with water.

Do not add salt at this point to avoid toughening the beans.

Add a medium diced onion to the pot.

Mince a garlic clove and add it to the pot.

Add a few pieces of uncured bacon to the pot for flavor.

Score a piece of Sharice and add it to the pot to release flavor.

Ensure there is enough water in the pot, then bring to a boil.

Cover the pot and simmer for 3 to 4 hours until beans are tender.

Check the beans; they should be tender with the skins split open.

Transfer the beans to a 9x13 baking dish, retaining some of the cooking water.

Remove the Sharice from the pot and let it cool before slicing.

Slice the cooled Sharice into thin pieces and sprinkle over the beans in the baking dish.

Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of pimenta mua to the beans.

Add salt to taste, mixing everything together.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary