Baked beans go along with all your favorite autumn activities
Whether it is at a farm, fair or football game, it’s hard not to get outdoors this time of year. Take advantage of the emerging season, and soak up the sun while it lasts. Baked beans are a perfect fit for all kinds of Indian summer celebrations. They can be made ahead and served immediately or transported to the site of your fall fun. If you think your dish will look a little too plain on a festive table, just add a slice or two of local bacon or some chopped green onions.
Old-Fashioned Baked Beans
Serving:
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dried navy beans
- 1½ quarts water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ pound salt pork, cut in ½-inch cubes
- ¼ cup sorghum syrup or molasses
- ½ teaspoon prepared mustard
Instructions:
- Place the beans and water in a large Dutch oven and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let soak for 1 hour. Add the salt and return to high heat. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and cover. Cook 45 minutes. Add the salt pork and cook an additional 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the sorghum and mustard until smooth. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Transfer the beans to a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish and stir in the sorghum mixture. Bake 1 hour. Serve warm.
Baked Rosemary Garlic Beans
Description:
Serve these aromatic beans with grilled or roasted lamb.
Serving:
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 6 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
- 1½ cups dried navy beans
- 6 cups chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup dry plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Place the canola oil in a heavy 2-quart casserole over medium-high heat. When hot, add the garlic and rosemary, sautéing 1 minute. Add the beans and stock. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Stir in the salt and pepper and place in the oven.
- Cook uncovered for 2½ hours or until the beans are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add another half-cup of stock to the pot if necessary during cooking. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top and drizzle with the olive oil. Cook 30 minutes longer and sprinkle with the parsley before serving warm.
Mixed Baked Beans
Serving:
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried navy beans
- ½ cup dried kidney beans
- ½ cup dried pinto beans
- 2 large sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
- ½ pound thick smoked bacon, diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 cup crushed plum tomatoes
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- Grated zest of 1 orange
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
- ¼ cup cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Place the navy, kidney and pinto beans in a mixing bowl and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Add the thyme and allow to soak overnight or for 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place a 2-quart casserole over medium-high heat. Add the cumin seeds and toast for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside. Add the oil to the casserole. When hot, add the onions, carrots and bacon. Cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the jalapeno peppers, garlic and toasted cumin seeds to the bacon mixture. Cook for 1 minute.
- Drain and rinse the beans. Add to the bacon mixture along with the tomatoes, syrup, sugar, bay leaf, zest, salt, pepper and cilantro. Add 2 cups of water, cover and bring to a simmer. Transfer to the oven and cook for 1 hour. Stir in the vinegar and cook 1 hour longer or until the liquid has nearly been absorbed. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Serve warm.
Easy Barbecue Baked Beans
Serving:
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15.5-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
- 2 cups barbecue sauce of your choice
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the black beans, kidney beans and barbecue sauce in a 2-quart casserole. Mix well. Bake covered for 2 hours. Serve warm.
Cider Baked Beans
Serving:
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried pinto or navy beans
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- ¼ pound bacon, diced
- 2 medium sweet onions, peeled and chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- ¼ cup sorghum syrup
- ¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Place the beans in a bowl and cover at least 2 inches with cold water. Allow to soak overnight or for 8 hours. Drain and rinse the beans and place in a 2-quart casserole dish. Set aside.
- Place the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the bacon, onions and garlic. Saute 4-5 minutes or until golden-brown. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the jalapeno peppers, cider, juice, vinegar, sorghum, sugar, dry mustard, Dijon, bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper to the casserole. Add the onion mixture and stir well. Bake for 3 hours or until the beans are very tender. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve warm.
