Hearty Ribs And Bean Bake

3 - 3 1/2 pounds pork country style ribs
1             can (15-oz.) tomato sauce
1             envelope onion soup mix
1/3          cup brown sugar
2             tablespoons prepared mustard
1/8          teaspoon hot sauce
3             cups cooked*, drained small white beans or two 16-oz. cans, drained
3             cups cooked*, drained red kidney beans or two 16-oz. cans, drained
1-1 1/2   cups thinly sliced celery
1             sweet red or green pepper, cut in thin strips

Place ribs in 13 x 9-inch baking dish; add 1/4 cup water. Cover tightly and cook in moderate oven (350ºF.) 1-1/4 hours; remove to absorbent paper. Pour off cooking liquid and reserve. Combine tomato sauce, onion soup mix, brown sugar, prepared mustard and hot pepper sauce in small saucepan and cook slowly 10 minutes. Remove excess fat from cooking liquid; add enough water to remaining liquid to make 1 cup. Stir into sauce mixture. Combine small white and red kidney bean mixture into baking dish.  Arrange ribs on top of bean mixture; brush with sauce.  Cover tightly and cook in moderate oven (350ºF.) 30 to 45 minutes; remove to warm platter. Makes 6 servings.

Chef’s tip: Country style ribs also can be braised in a Dutch oven on top of the range for 45 to 60 minutes.

Nutritional Information per Serving:

Calories-621, (From Fat-26%), Protein-51 g, Carbohydrate-66g, Fat-18 g, Sodium-1161 mg, Potassium-1726 mg, Dietary Fiber-11 g, Calcium-148 mg, Iron-8 mg, Vitamin A-1446 iu, Vitamin C-36 mg, Cholesterol-92 mg

 *For best results, soak and cook dry beans by preferred method.