Better Baked Beans

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F2 Empty the cans of beans into a colander in the sink. Rinse thoroughly and set aside to drain.3 Place a large (10- to 12-inch) skillet over medium heat and wait about a minute. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.4 Add the onion, spices, and half the salt, and cook, stirring often, over medium heat, for 5 minutes or until the onion begins to soften.5 Add the carrots, garlic, and bell pepper, plus the remaining salt. Stir to blend, then cover, turn the heat down to medium-low, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.6 Stir in the mustard, molasses, and vinegar. Cook for 1 minute, then pour in the canned tomatoes with all their liquid.7 Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and gently stir in the beans (careful not to break them).8 Transfer to a 9 X 13-inch baking pan, and cover it tightly with foil. Bake undisturbed for 45 minutes.9 Serve hot, topped with parsley and walnuts.

Source: Chef Mollie Katzen and California