Italian Baked Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. Northern baked beans
6 c. water
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. oil
2 Tbsp. butter
1 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 c. chopped celery
2 Tbsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 c. Ro-Tel tomatoes, drained (reserve juice)
grated Romano cheese
Italian sausage, cooked sausage, salami or ham (your choice)

Preparation

Cook beans over high heat until boiling point; add salt and butter.
Cover, reduce heat and cook at simmering for 2 hours or until beans are tender but not mushy.
Drain beans and reserve liquid.
Cook onion, garlic and celery in oil over low heat until lightly yellowed.
Add parsley, herbs, chopped tomatoes and reserved bean liquid.
(Bean liquid and tomato juice should total 2/3 cup.)
Heat all to boiling point.
Add bits of meat (I prefer Italian sausage).
Mix with beans in a 2-quart casserole or baking dish.
Cover and cook for 50 minutes at 350\u00b0.
Remove and sprinkle with cheese and return to oven for 10 to 15 minutes.