Fagiolo al forno - Baked Tuscan Beans

Ingredients

3 cups dried cannellini beans

1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 pound pancetta, sliced thickly

6 sage fresh leaves

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large ripe tomato, chopped

2 garlic cloves, peeled but left whole

Salt and pepper

Directions

Soak the beans overnight in a bowl of cold water with the flour. Preheat oven to 375°. Drain and rinse the beans and place them in a 3 quart casserole. Add the tomato, garlic cloves, olive oil, sage, and pancetta. Gently, mix. Put in enough water to cover by 1/2-inch. Cover the casserole and put into the preheated oven for 2 to 3 hours. Every 1/2 hour check the beans and stir gently. At 2 hour taste to see if done. When done, take out and let sit, cover, for 15 minutes. Salt and pepper, to taste.