Many of our regular customers know that we’ve been using Mondays to raise money for Japan Relief Efforts. For over a month we’ve committed to donate 10% of Monday’s sales to our selected agencies (Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF). Since beginning the initiative, we’ve raised $2,217, which puts us incredibly close to our $3,000 goal.

The disasters in Japan, and the lives impacted by them, haven’t been top of the news lately. The traumatic event has already had its “turn” in the news cycle and attentions have largely moved to other issues. That’s the world we live in. But it doesn’t change our determination or desire to reach the goal we set, and we hope you’ll continue joining us on Mondays.

How can you help? Share the information with your friends on Facebook. Send a tweet about it. Talk it up at work. Bring your buddy or sister or team or sweetie to lunch on Monday and know you’ll not only be eating well but you’ll be doing good at the same time.

Thanks to all our amazing customers!

Along with Dogwood Arts Festival, the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, and East Tennessee pollen, nothing tells you springtime is really here like eating outside. And with those picnics, spontaneous backyard gatherings, and the like, comes some traditional favorite, fun foods. By now, you’ve probably heard about Hot Dog Mondays at The Tomato Head, and our recipe for Baked Beans is a perfect complement for serving hot dogs at home.

Mahasti presented this recipe on WBIR this morning, and also shared a great dog assembly–chopped lettuce, baked beans, cheddar and daikon slaw. We’re not offering it in the restaurants today, but we will be featuring it on Monday, for Hot Dog Mondays. Even better, when you order up your dog on Monday, know that you’re not only eating well, but doing good at the same time. For the remainder of April, and potentially longer, we’ll be donating 10% of our Monday sales to Japan Relief efforts (Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF).

So, give these Baked Beans a try in your own kitchen, and come Monday, swing by and try ’em on our Hot Dog special. We promise they’ll make your Monday much, much better. Woof!

Tomato Head’s Baked Beans

3 cups navy beans, looked and soaked overnight
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
½ cup molasses
2 cups tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp Chipotle Tabasco sauce, optional

Drain and rinse the beans. Place the beans in a large pot with 2 inches of water to cover and cook over medium heat for 30 – 40 minutes, or until soft.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Once again drain the beans. Place the beans in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir together until well mixed. Pour the beans into a 3 quart casserole dish. Bake for 1 hour.