#giadaapproved

A smoky twist on Giada De Laurentiis' Italian-Style Baked Beans, infused with the rich flavor of a smoker.

Ingredients: 2 cups dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. 1 onion, chopped. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. 1/2 cup tomato paste. 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped. 2 sprigs fresh rosemary. 1 bay leaf. 4 cups chicken broth. 1 cup water. Salt and pepper to taste. 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, for serving.

Instructions: Set the temperature of your smoker to 225F 107C. Heat the olive oil in a sizable cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat in the stove. Add the chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the red pepper flakes and minced garlic, and cook for a further one to two minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for an additional three to five minutes, or until mixture takes on a deeper color. After soaking, drain and add the cannellini beans to the Dutch oven. Add the bay leaf, parsley, and rosemary sprigs. Add water and chicken broth. Add pepper and salt for seasoning. After the smoker has been preheated, place the Dutch oven inside and smoke for four to six hours, stirring periodically, or until the beans are soft. Before serving, take out the bay leaf and the rosemary sprigs. Garnish the hot baked beans in the Italian style with grated Pecorino Romano cheese and smoke. Savor your aromatic and smoky baked beans with an Italian influence!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 300 minutes