Charlene prepared this stick-to-your-ribs casserole for the South Arm Cooking Club for Seniors. This hearty and warming casserole is pack with so much flavor that even meat lovers will enjoy it even though it’s a bean casserole.

For those who enjoy a bit of spice, try adding 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle to the tomato mixture.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 x 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 2 x 19 oz cans romano, kidney, fava, or white beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 oz Monterey jack cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

Crumb Topping:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 cups fresh bread crumbs

Chris O’Brennam, Christina, Marcel and Helmut worked together on this Mexican Tomato and Bean Casserole as they make an extra casserole for take home.

Source: inspired by Heidi Swanson

Prep time: 20 minutes; Cook time: 50 to 60 minutes; Serve 8

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F. Use a food processor to grind bread to a course crumb. Mix bread crumbs with olive oil in a medium bowl; set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onions until tender, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook for another 4 minutes, until onions turn golden.

Add tomatoes and oregano. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 5 to 10 minutes.

Stir in beans, green onions, and cilantro. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place cheese cubes evenly over the mixture, pressing them into the beans. This will create gooey ‘pockets’ of cheese in the dish.

Top with oiled bread crumbs and bake in a 400F preheated oven until bread crumbs are browned and the mixture is bubbly, about 30 minutes. Chris O’Brennan, Christina, Marcel and Helmut, thank you for making this hearty Mexican Tomato and Bean Casserole.

We usually set up a long table for lunch. But, for this session, Stella and Charlene came up with a new idea.

They set up the dining area in cafe styles and the food is served in buffet style. This is a great set up as people can chat more easily in small groups. We hope that the seniors will benefit from this setting with improve communications.