Swedish-style Braised Beans with Pork

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) dried brown beans 500g (1.1 lb) dried brown beans
• 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, cut into chunks
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons molasses 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 8g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 10g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Soak the dried beans overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, cook the pork belly over medium heat until browned and crispy. Remove from the pot and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the soaked beans, bay leaves, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, vinegar, and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir well.
5. 5.
   Return the cooked pork belly to the pot and season with salt and pepper.
6. 6.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
7. 7.
   Adjust the seasoning if needed and serve hot with lingonberry jam on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — For a leaner option, you can use pork shoulder or boneless pork chops instead. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat is tender.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a small amount of liquid smoke to the dish.
• Serve the Braised Beans with Pork with a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Serving advice

Serve the Swedish-style Braised Beans with Pork hot, accompanied by lingonberry jam and a side of crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation advice

Present the dish in a rustic-style serving dish, allowing the beans and pork to take center stage. Drizzle a little extra sauce over the top and sprinkle with chopped parsley for an appealing presentation.