Recipes of the World – from Guernsey

The Bean Jar

The Bean Jar is Guernsey’s traditional one pot meal. Made at home, the pot was then taken to the local bakers where it would be slow-cooked overnight in the bottom of the oven. It was collected at dawn and traditionally eaten by fisherman as a hearty breakfast before they headed out to sea. Each family has a different variation but traditionally it was made with pig’s trotter.

Ingredients:
1 lb haricot beans
1 lb butter beans
1 lb belly pork
1 lb onions
Stock
Salt and pepper for seasoning

Method:
1) Soak the beans overnight in cold water. Discard the water. Put beans in fresh water and boil for at least 30 minutes.
2) Add pork, chopped onions and stock cube and boil for a further 20 minutes.
3) Place in a low to medium oven for a minimum of three to four hours or a slow cooker.
4) Beans should be soft and the meat should fall off the bone. Enjoy with a thick slice of farmhouse bread and Guernsey butter.