Shkudzi (Belarusian Baked Beans)
Shkudzi is a hearty and flavorful dish of baked beans, often made with pork and root vegetables, slow-cooked to perfection. It's a comforting and traditional Belarusian meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Dried navy beans(soaked overnight and drained)
- 300 g Pork belly(diced)
- 200 g Smoked sausage(sliced)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 2 medium Carrots(diced)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 750 ml Beef broth
- 2 tbsp Molasses
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 Bay leaf
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
- 2
In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced pork belly over medium heat until browned and crispy. Remove pork belly with a slotted spoon, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
- 3
Add chopped onions and diced carrots to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 5
Return the cooked pork belly to the pot. Add the drained navy beans, sliced smoked sausage, beef broth, molasses, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop, then cover the pot tightly and transfer to the preheated oven.
- 7
Bake for 3 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally, adding more broth if the mixture becomes too dry.
- 8
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soaking the beans overnight is crucial for even cooking.
- ✓Adjust sweetness and saltiness to your preference.
- ✓This dish tastes even better the next day.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like parsnips or celery root.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pork and sausage and use vegetable broth.