Homemade Baked Beans

Beans beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the….ooops, pardon me, that just slipped out.

I can’t help it. Today I made these incredible homemade baked beans and I am reaping the rewards. Stinky farts you ask? Well yes silly, because there’s release in that if done when no one is around to hear it. Also beans are super good for you, helping to lower blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure to name two. Finally, they’re a comfort food that’s good all year round. Homemade baked beans are good with eggs for breakfast, lunch in a thermos, dinner with a ham or alone with warm bread. Beans are also great for parties to put out on a buffet table and are fabulous cold at a picnic. They really are the magical fruit.

These beans for made from scratch, but are stupid easy. However, if you are in a huge rush, you can try these Coffee Beans & Bacon I shared over at Ghetto Foodie.

Homemade Baked Beans

1 lb white pea beans or navy beans
5 cups cold water
6 bacon slice
2 small onions, sliced thinly
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. sherry vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. prepared mustard
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup chili sauce
More water to cover beans while baking.

Rinse beans and remove any bad ones. Soak in cold water overnight in a large bowl. Drain.

Place beans in large pot and pour 5 cups of water over them. Cover and bring to boil, then turn to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until almost soft. Meanwhile in large Dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp. Remove, leaving bacon grease behind, and tear into bite size pieces. Over medium-high heat, cook sliced onions and garlic until starting to turn a light golden colour. Remove from heat. When beans are done, drain and then pour into Dutch oven. In a small bowl, mix together sherry vinegar, brown sugar, prepared mustard, molasses, ketchup and chili sauce. Pour over baked beans and stir well. Sprinkle bacon pieces on top and cover with enough water to cover beans. Cover and place in 250 F oven for 6 to 7 hours. Check beans occasionally through to the day to see that they are not drying out and add more water if necessary. Remember you want the sauce to be thick though and not too runny so don’t overdo it.

Pleasantville Note: Do not, I repeat, do not put your head under the covers at night. You’ve been warned.