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By Tom Kerridge from Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food (Absolute Press)

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Serves 4-6

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Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 2 1/2 hrs

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Ingredients
400g dried white beans, such as haricot (Nige says you can buy tinned haricots & introduce them at point 12.)
5 tbsp rapeseed oil
200g smoked streaky bacon in one piece, diced
200g chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, grated
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato puree
150g soft dark brown sugar
200ml red wine vinegar
500ml water
Salt & pepper, to taste

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For the soda bread
340g plain, wholemeal four
340g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
45g butter, softened, plus extra for spreading
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
11Ž2 tsp salt
1 tsp cracked black pepper
625ml buttermilk

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Method
1.To begin the baked beans, cover the white beans in cold water & soak overnight.
2.Meanwhile, make the soda bread. Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas Mark 6.Ìý Put both flours, the butter, bicarbonate of soda, salt & pepper in a large bowl.
3.Stir in the buttermilk & use your hands to mix all the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.
4.Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet, pat into a loaf & dust with a little extra flour.
5.Put the baking sheet in the oven & bake the bread for 45-50 mins until it is wonderfully golden.
6.Transfer the loaf to a wire rack & leave to cool completely.
7.After the beans have soaked overnight, drain them & put them in a large saucepan.
8.Cover them with water & bring to the boil.
9.Drain the beans again & return to the pan.
10.Cover with fresh water & return to the boil, then reduce the heat to low & simmer, uncovered, for about 1hr until the beans are just tender.
11.Top up with extra boiling water, if needed.Ìý
12.Drain the beans & set aside.
13.Heat the rapeseed oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat.
14.Add the bacon & fry, stirring for about 5 mins until it is crispy & the lovely bacon fat & flavour is in the pan.
15.Add the onion & garlic to the pan & continue stirring for 3-5 mins until the onion is softened.
16.Add the canned tomatoes, tomato puree, sugar, vinegar & water & bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.Ìý
17.Add the beans, reduce the heat to very low & leave to simmer, uncovered, for 11Ž2 - 2hrs until the sauce is thick & the beans are soft.Ìý Season.
18.When ready to serve, preheat the grill to high.Ìý Slice the soda bread & toast until crisp & golden brown (or Nige says use a toaster!)
19.Spread the toast with the butter & serve with the baked beans.