BEER BAKED WHITE BEANS and POTATO SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM

One of the first meals for our fabulous overseas guests, had to be my husbands incredible, fall-off-the-bone ribs.
To complete the menu, with a twist on the traditional, I made these two sides, and added ready-made coleslaw and baked beans.
The beer baked white beans didn't photograph very well, but they received many compliments, and the bowl was scraped clean.

BEER BAKED WHITE BEANS

6 slices of bacon, cut crosswise into 1 inch pieces
1 medium onion, diced small
5 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
2 sprigs rosemary
1 can of white beans, such as great northern or cannellini
1 bottle of ale
3/4 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar

In a heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid, cook bacon until it is crisp and browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
In the same pot, add onion and garlic to cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add mustard and honey, cook 1 minute.
Add rosemary, beans, beer and broth, season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on stovetop about 2 hours. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper and vinegar.
To serve, stir in reserved cooked bacon.
Enjoy!

POTATO SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM

2 pounds of white potatoes, peeled, diced and boiled

DRESSING
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and patted dry
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing, and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Pour the dressing over the potatoes and mix gently until evenly coated. Taste again for seasoning and adjust as desired.
Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma Complete Grilling Cookbook, 2001
www.williams-sonoma.com/products/the-williams-sonoma-cookbook/