White Bean Chorizo Bake

We are quite literally snowed in today. So, I made my good ol’ snowed in standby of White Bean Chorizo Bake.

I like to keep local fresh (not smoked) chorizo on hand in the freezer because, as strange as it sounds, it’s pretty versatile. The spice goes well with most sweet vegetables and adds zip to mellow things like white beans or potatoes. The idea for this dish is similar to cassoulet – in that it consists of white beans and sausage – except there is no duck, goose, lamb shoulder, salt pork or wine. It’s more dressed down than that. The pajama pant of the cassoulet world. The indoor shoe.

In fact, forget what I said. It’s nowhere near as complex and interesting as cassoulet. It’s more of a knock-off Manolo Blahnik of the cassoulet world. But really. Who wants a whole farmyard in a pot? Just throwing that out there.

I will say though that White Bean Chorizo Bake is packed with protein and flavor. The Great Northern beans pick up what the chorizo puts down and the bacon takes no guff about it not being salt pork. It’s happy just as it is. Serve with a crusty French bread and a fresh green salad and you’re having a fine time.

White Bean Chorizo Bake – serves 4- 6

3 C cooked Great Northern beans, or 2 – 15 ounce cans
1/2 lb bacon, cut into small 2 inch strips
1/2 lb chorizo, about 4 links
4 garlic cloves
2 C chicken stock

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a cast iron or enamel dutch oven saute the bacon on medium-low heat to melt down the fat, about 20 minutes. Watch to be sure it doesn’t burn.

While the bacon cooks, crush the garlic with the side of a knife and loosely chop.

Slice the chorizo in half crosswise and then in half lengthwise.

Remove the bacon from the pan and drain the fat (this can be reserved in a canning jar and used for other recipes.)

Place the sausage cut side down in the pan and allow to brown slightly on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.

Add the beans, garlic, chicken stock and bacon to the pot. Stir to combine.

Place on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 1 – 1.5 hours. Serve hot.

Ingredient Origins: Great Northern Beans – Michigan; Bacon – Maine; Chorizo – Maine; Garlic – California; Chicken Stock – Oregon