Three cups of uncooked dry white beans ( or 2 large cans )

Water to soak and boil the beans

1 tbsp. butter or margarine + 1 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

2 tbsp. tomato paste

1 tsp dried red pepper flakes

4 cups of water

salt to taste

¼ pound of sliced soudjuk, casing removed

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Soak the beans in hot water overnight. Drain. In a large pot cover the beans with cold water and boil for 15 minutes or until the beans are tender.

Drain and set aside.

In large the pot, heat the oil and butter, saute the onion and the bell pepper until soft, add the pepper flakes and the paste. Saute for another minute or two, add the beans, water and salt. Bring to a boil, simmer on medium-low heat until the cooking liquid is slightly thickened, remove from the heat.

In a frying pan sauté the soudjuk in its own fat until crisp, pour it on

top of the beans, sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve hot.

If you choose to use canned beans, omit the overnight soaking and boiling the beans, just drain and rinse under running cold water.