Here is a baked bean recipe with a twist that was awaiting me when I came home from work one day. I didn't even realize I was eating turkey sausage until I took a look at the recipe. This dish can easily be prepared gluten free by using gluten free turkey sausage. Simply omit the bacon if you need to adjust for a low fat diet. Give this one a try, I think you will enjoy it.
Ingredients:
1 lb Smoked Turkey Sausage
2 15 oz cans Great Northern Beans or Cannelloni Beans(drained and rinsed)
½ package bacon finely chopped or 6 oz chopped pancetta
3 Tbs. olive oil (may need more)
1 large onion chopped
2 medium carrots chopped
2 ribs celery chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
2 Tb sp. dark brown sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup frozen peas
2 bay leaves
½ tsp. red pepper flakes (or to taste)
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
Directions:
Cut your smoked turkey sausage into 1" pieces. In a 10 inch Dutch oven brown the chopped bacon or chopped pancetta until crispy. Drain off bacon fat and place the bacon bits on paper towel. Brown the smoked turkey sausage in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in the onion, celery and carrots and cook. After 4 minutes add chopped garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients except for the bacon. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Cover your Dutch oven and bake at 325° for 50 minutes.
For outdoor or camp cooking use 19 charcoal briquettes placing 12 on top of and 7 beneath your Dutch oven. You may need more coals on cold or windy days. To serve, top with bacon and provide a salad on the side.
Serves 4 to 6