Michigan Beans N Sausage Recipe

Michigan Beans N Sausage Recipe

  • 1 pound dry navy beans
  • 6 bacon strips, diced
  • 3 medium onions, sliced into rings
  • 1 pound chicken gizzards, trimmed and halved (optional)
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound fully cooked kielbasa or Polish sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
  1. Place beans in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and discard liquid. Return beans to pan and set aside.
  2. In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of drippings; set bacon aside. Saute onions and gizzards if desired in drippings until onions are tender and the gizzards are browned. Add the 4 cups of water, garlic, salt, marjoram, bay leaf, pepper, bacon and onion mixture to the beans. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 3 hours or until beans are tender. Discard bay leaf. Stir in sausage and tomato sauce. Toss bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes longer or until golden.