Beans and bacon

• 450 g (1 lb) small white pearl beans, soaked overnight
• 50 g (2

Put the beans in a saucepan, cover by 3 cm (1 in) with cold water and bring slowly to the boil. Simmer for 1-1½ hours until almost tender.

Put 25 g (1 oz) of butter in a frying pan, slice the pork or bacon into six-eight slices and fry them for 3-4 minutes, turning them over once or twice.

Transfer the bacon and their fat to a deep casserole. Drain the beans and save the liquid.