Winter Bean Stew

Sometimes you just want something hearty in the deep, dark cold of winter.

Soak and cook Jacob's Cattle beans. Yes, you can use another kind. When they are fully cooked, drain and discard all but 1 cup of broth.

Chop carrots and cook in saucepan. Drain.

Chop veggies. Yes you can vary these, based on what you have on hand.

Cook bacon in pan (use your imagination for this--someone forgot to take a photo). Remove bacon from pan, reserving some bacon grease in pan.

Sauté veggies in bacon grease until soft.

Combine all ingredients together and place in a slow cooker for a couple of hours just to combine flavors.

Winter Bean Stew:

1/2 pound Jacob's Cattle Beans, cooked

1/4 pound bacon, cooked

1 small onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

3 carrots, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 tsp. rubbed sage

2 tsp. salt

Cook beans in saucepan following directions on bag; drain, reserving 1 cup broth. Cook carrots in water in saucepan until soft; drain. Cook bacon in fry pan; removed from pan, reserving 2 Tbsp. bacon grease. Sauté onion, pepper, celery and garlic in fry pan until soft. Combine drained beans, sautéed and cooked veggies and spices in slow cooker and cook on low for 2 hours to combine flavors. Serves 4-6.