Ingredients

1/2 pound small white beans, like pea or navy

4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed, plus 1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 medium-large onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

2 cups cored and chopped tomatoes, with their juice (canned are fine)

3 or 4 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 bay leaves

1/4 pound slab bacon or salt pork, in 1 piece

4 sweet Italian sausages, about 3/4 pound

1 pound boneless pork shoulder

2 duck legs

Chicken, beef or vegetable stock, or water, or a mixture, as needed

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 cup plain bread crumbs, optional

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish.

Preparation

  1. Combine beans, crushed garlic, onion, carrots, tomatoes, thyme, bay leaves and meats in a slow cooker, and turn heat to high. (If you like, brown sausage and duck legs in a skillet before adding.) Add stock or water to cover by 2 inches. Cover and cook until beans and meats are tender, 5 hours on high