COUNTRY STYLE BEANS

1 pound dry navy beans
6 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 bay leaf
6 strips bacon
2 medium onions, chopped
3 peeled tomatoes, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 cup chopped parsley


Wash and sort beans.  Combine beans with water in large saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and turn off burner.  Let set for 1 hour. Drain, add water to generously cover, add salt, pepper, garlic and bay leaf.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.

Fry bacon until crisp.  Remove from pan and crumble.  Sauté onions in bacon drippings until golden.  Add green pepper and tomatoes and cook 5 minutes.  Stir in oregano and parsley.

Drain beans, reserving liquid, and mix thoroughly with bacon and vegetable mixture.  Place in 2-quart casserole, adding bean liquid to cover.  Bake at 350 degrees about 1 hour, adding additional liquid if necessary.