Alubias con Tocino (Beans with Bacon)

Total time: 25 minutes
    American Pork and Beans with a Spanish twist. Beans (alubias) of all types are a staple in Spain.  This serves 4 or is enough for 2 meals for 2.  

 Ingredients:

• 19oz (570gr) white beans, cannellini
• 3 slices bacon
• 1/2 red onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbs paprika
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 medium - large tomatoes
• 1 tbs tomato paste
• 1 bay (laurel) leaf
• 1/4 cup (2oz, 60ml) chicken  stock

 Instructions:

• Drain beans and rinse well. 
• Chop onion, mince garlic. 
• Peel and chop tomatoes. 
• In nonstick skillet sauté bacon over medium heat. 
• When done remove, drain and crumble. 
• Remove fat from skillet.  Add olive oil, onions, garlic, paprika and sauté until onions are tender.  
• Add tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, beans and bay leaf.  Simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes. 
• Add crumbled bacon, remove bay leaf and serve.

To peel tomatoes: Bring a medium pan 3/4's full of water to a boil on high heat.  Drop tomatoes in for 30 seconds - start timing immediately.  Remove tomatoes and drop into a bowl of cold water. Remove and peel with a knife or your fingers - peel will come off very easily.