These tasty tomato-sage covered beans are a yummy Tuscan treat. The perfect side to any Italian style dinner.

Ingredients

* 1 lb. dried cannellini or Great Northern beans, rinsed and picked over.
* salt
* 2 sprigs fresh sage
* 3 large garlic cloves
* 1/4 C. olive oil
* 3 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or 2 C. canned tomatoes

Directions

Place the beans in a large bowl with cold water to cover by 2 inches. Place them in the refrigerator to soak 4 hours up to overnight.

Drain the beans and place them in a large pot with cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add salt to taste and let stand for 10 minutes.

In a large sauce pan cook the sage and garlic in the oil over medium heat, flattening the garlic with the back of a spoon, until the garlic is golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes.

Drain the beans, reserving the liquid. Add the beans to the sauce. Cook 10 minutes, adding some of the reserved water or at room temperature.