Casola Po Staropolsku (Beans Old Polish Style)

Soak dried Uma or navy beans overnight and cook as above until tender. While they cook, dice slab bacon and fry up finely chopped onions. Soak prunes in hot water 10 minutes. Drain bacon and onions, setting them aside.

In drippings, lightly brown flour. If you don't have enough drippings left over, add a little lard or butter. Dilute the roux with enough bean water to form a pourable sauce.

To sauce return bacon and onions, add drained and chopped prunes, raisins, honey, and caramelized sugar (caramelize by browning in dry saucepan and diluting with several Tbs. boiling water). Salt and pepper and season with several pinches marjoram or your homemade hunter's seasoning.

Simmer under cover 10 minutes and pour over drained beans. A sprinkle of vinegar or lemon juice will give your beans added zest.

This and other dried bean dishes are usually served as a meal in themselves for dinner or supper.