Cedar-Braised Beans

Just a small branch of cedar adds flavor to these beans and helps to stimulate digestion and strengthen the immune system. We make up a big batch of these beans each week, then work them into a variety of dishes—appetizers, soups, and entrées. The first step is to soak the beans before cooking; it cuts the time in half. (This recipe is easily doubled or tripled.)

We like to use a mix of heirloom beans for a variety of colors, textures, and flavors. Because of the varied cooking time