Time: 1.5-2 hours

Skill level: Easy

Ingredients

Southern Beans

• 1 Tbsp Séka Hills Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 12 oz smoked sausage, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
• 1 lb Maine Grains Organic Cranberry Beans
• 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 Tbsp Burlap & Barrel Purple Stripe Garlic Powder 
• Water
• Salt & pepper to taste

Cornbread Croutons

• Leftover Cornbread¹, cut into bite size cubes
• 1/2 Tbsp Séka Hills Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tbsp Tree Juice Maple Syrup
• Salt, pepper, & MSG to taste

Equipment

• Oven
• Dutch oven or oven proof pot
• Sheet tray

Instructions

Southern Beans

1. Preheat the oven to 375­°F, then place a Dutch oven on the stove to preheat at medium-low heat for a few minutes. 
2. Add the olive oil and onions to the pot and cook until the onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.  
3. Add the carrots, pepper, and sausage to the pan, then cook until the peppers soften. 
4. Add the beans and spices to the pot, then stir to coat everything in the spices. 
5. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the the beans by half an inch. 
6. Cover the pot, then put into the oven to cook for one hour
7. After the first hour, remove the lid and continue cooking until the beans are tender and cooked through, about 30 - 60 minutes. 
8. When finished, use the backside of a spoon or a potato masher to mash 1/4 of the beans then stir them in to thicken the broth. 

Cornbread Croutons

1. Cut the cornbread into bite-size pieces, then add to a bowl. Add the oil, maple syrup, and seasonings to the bowl and stir to combine.
2. Spread evenly on a sheet tray and place in the oven. 
3. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring midway. The croutons should be soft in the middle and crisp on the outside when done. 
4. Serve with the beans. 

Footnotes

¹ I suggest using Sean Brock's cornbread recipe. I likely won't be posting a recipe like this for a long time because this has been my go-to cornbread for a very long time. The recipe is perfect and you should give it a try.