Italian Pinto Beans

4 cups dried pinto beans

Water for soaking

8 cups water for cooking

1 T salt

1/2 to 1 lb. Italian sausage

1 small or med. onion, chopped

1 t minced garlic

1 green pepper, chopped

1 T Italian seasonings

1 can diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Soak beans overnight

drain

Add the 8 cups of water and salt to the beans and cook until soft. The beans can be set aside now until closer to meal time if ou would like or you can make it up and have it all ready to go for dinner.

Cook sausage along with onions, garlic and optional peppers.

Add these vegetables to the cooked beans. Add the remaining ingredients and heat until the cheese is melted and the flavors are blended. This is delicious and can be served with some homemade bread (French bread would be wonderful ) and a salad.

What I would really like to fix but don't know what to call it or where to find it is.....

A dish we used to get at Buca de Beppo's. It was one of those dishes that you order and it comes in a large bowl and you pass it around to everyone. (Each person ordered a "family" bowl and shared) I remember it had chicken breasts on top.There were potatoes in it somewhere and Italian beans on the bottom. Probably other things too but I can't remember. Our (in Omaha) Buca de Beppo's closed two or three years ago. I miss it.

If anyone know the restaurant and the dish I'm talking about and can tell me how to fix it...I'll love you forever..."S"

patti