Beans in tomato sauce: A timeless staple of French cooking

That's a classic of French cuisine that never goes out of style. It combines the simplicity of ingredients with depth of flavour. Its history dates back to World War I, when soldiers stationed in France tasted a similar dish.

This hearty, filling, and flavourful dish is perfect as a meal for the entire family. Although its preparation requires some time, the process is not complicated, and the final result is worth it. To achieve perfectly soft beans that melt in your mouth, it's worth starting the preparation the day before by soaking the beans in water overnight. Thanks to this simple trick, you'll be ready to quickly prepare a lunch in the morning that will impress everyone at the table.

The dish is synonymous with a hearty, one-pot dish that can be successfully prepared for several days. It's an excellent choice not only for lunch but also for dinner or even family gatherings. Thanks to the use of smoked meats and aromatic spices like marjoram, bay leaf, and garlic, the beans acquire a deep flavour that becomes even more intense every day.

To make beans perfectly soft and aromatic, it's important to prepare the beans properly. This process starts the day before.

Ingredients:

• 450 grams (1 lb) of beans,
• 320 grams (0.7 lb) of smoked bacon,
• 180 grams (0.4 lb) of semi-dry sausage,
• 320 grams (0.7 lb) of smoked pork bones or ribs,
• 2 small onions,
• 1 cup of tomato purée or a few tablespoons of tomato paste,
• salt, pepper, bay leaf, marjoram.

Preparation method:

              
1. Soaking the beans – Start by soaking the beans. Place them in a large pot and cover them with water such that the water is about 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the beans. Leave them overnight. Soaking the beans ensures they will be perfectly soft and easily digestible after cooking.
2. Cooking the beans – The next day, in the same water where the beans were soaked, place the smoked pork bones or ribs. Add a few bay leaves and cook the beans over medium heat until they become soft. This usually takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the beans.
3. Preparing the add-ons – Meanwhile, as the beans are cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients. Dice the bacon, and chop the sausage and onions. In a pan, fry the bacon until the fat renders, then add the onions. Sauté the mixture until the bacon turns golden and the onions become translucent.
4. Combining the ingredients – Once the beans are soft, add the fried bacon with onions and the chopped sausage to the pot. Next, pour in the tomato purée or add the tomato paste. Season the dish with salt, pepper, and marjoram. Cook the dish for another 10-15 minutes to allow the flavours to meld well.

Variations:

          
• Vegetarian version: Instead of meat, you can add more vegetables like carrots, celery, or parsley root.
• Spicy version: For fans of spicy flavours, add chili or hot pepper to the beans.
• Stew version: Boil a bit more water and thicken the sauce with flour to achieve a thicker consistency.