Calico Bean Casserole

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked calico beans (or other multicolored beans), picked over and soaked overnight
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

2 hours 30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Drain the beans and rinse well.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté the onion, celery, carrots, and bell pepper until softened about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, thyme, black pepper, and salt.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 2 hours and 30 minutes, or until the beans are tender.
5. Add more beef broth or water as needed to keep the beans from sticking.
6. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 cup):

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 380mg
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Fiber: 12g
• Protein: 10g

Dish Characteristics:

• Colorful and hearty
• Sweet and slightly tangy from the tomato sauce and brown sugar
• Hints of smokiness from the Dijon mustard and thyme
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans if beef broth is replaced with vegetable broth

User Comments:

• "This casserole is a great twist on the classic baked bean recipe."
• "The beans were perfectly cooked and the flavor combination was spot on."
• "I loved the slight sweetness and smokiness in the sauce."
• "The casserole reheats well and is perfect for a quick and easy meal."
• "I would definitely recommend this dish to anyone looking for a delicious and flavorful bean casserole."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure to soak the beans overnight to reduce cooking time.
• If you don't have calico beans, you can use any variety of multicolored beans.
• For a richer flavor, use a combination of sweet and spicy brown mustard.
• If you want a thicker casserole, mash some of the beans before adding them to the pot.
• Serve with your favorite sides, such as cornbread, mashed potatoes, or salad.