Need a Really Good Baked Bean Recipe.

[Le Taz Hot]

I have lots of cookbooks and there are recipes on line but I'm looking for recommendations from the DU cooks 'cause you guys always have the BEST recipes.
Anyone have a tried-and-true recipe -- the kind that people talk about for days? I'm having a 50th birthday party next Sunday for my husband (he's a young 'un) and the theme is going to be Southern overall (he's a Suhthuhn gentlemen) but there will be a few exceptions in the menu and this will be one of them.

Thanks in advance,

LTH

[Laurian]

1. I don't have a recipe, but I do have a tip.

I usually take the shortcut of using canned beans (drained) and doctoring them with brown sugar, bacon, onions, ketchup and a dab of mustard. Years ago, a co-worker brought the best baked beans I've ever tasted to an office party. Her secret ingredient was molasses. It seemed to give them a deeper, richer flavor.

You might try Goggling for a baked bean with molasses recipe to see if one appeals to you.

Good luck finding the perfect recipe and Happy Birthday to your husband!

[cbayer]

2. Cook them slow and low with chunks of salt pork and lots of onions.

I like them almost caramelized and thick. And molasses is key to getting that.

I would find a recipe that seems right to you, then add what you like. But baking is the way to go, imo.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. This is a good basic recipe

Last edited Mon Oct 8, 2012, 01:35 PM - Edit history (1)

This makes about 2 quarts of beans (serves 8-10)

1. Prep the beans:
1 lb pea or navy beans
1/2 teas baking soda
6 cups water

Pick through the beans and remove any small rocks or badly broken beans. Put beans in a large saucepan and soak them overnight in the 6 cups of water. The next day, add the baking soda. Heat the pan to boiling then immediately cut the heat back to a simmer. Let beans cook at a simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from stove and drain in a colander over a bowl so that you can keep the liquid.

2. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Assemble with other ingredients for baking:

1/4 lb salt pork, cut into three pieces so that each has meat and fatty sections
1 small to medium whole onion, peeled
1 teas dry mustard
1/3 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
3 Tbls sugar (white or brown)
1/2 to 1 teas salt
1/4 teas ground black pepper
additional water if needed

In a deep lidded casserole dish or beanpot place beans, salt pork and onion first, then add the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the water. Stir to mix. Add just enough of the reserved bean liquid to cover the beans. Cover the dish and bake for 2 hours.

3. Remove from oven and add about 2 to 2 1/2 cups more liquid (bean liquid and water) -- just enough to keep the beans surrounded by liquid, not enough for them to float -- and stir again.

4. Cover and place back in the oven to cook for an additional hour. Uncover the dish and let cook for an additional 30 minutes or so or until the beans are tender.



It takes a long time (3 1/2 hours in the oven) but it's mostly unattended. The good thing about baked beans is you can make them a day or two in advance and gently reheat them for the party.

The key elements are using salt pork not bacon and molasses not honey or sugar as the principal sweetener, and don't try to rush it. You can leave the onion out but I think it adds great flavor.

[Le Taz Hot]

5. Oh yeah!

This sounds perfect! I'm glad you warned me about the Blackstrap Molasses -- it's what I probably would have used had you not mentioned it.

Thank you SO much!

[pinto]

4. Bacon...

pearl onions, bell pepper, a bit of apple cider vinegar, molasses.



Have a great party.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. I want to thank everyone

for their contribution. Lots of great ideas (as always). I'll do a post-party thread and let you know how it went.

Again, thanks SO MUCH!

LTH

[HappyMe]

7. Oops, I guess it's too late to post,

but this is really damn good ---

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/boston-baked-beans-video/47390.html



I hope your party was wonderful.

[Le Taz Hot]

8. It's never too late

to post to a recipe thread.

Thanks!