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Baked Beans were a favorite of my childhood, but we always ate it out of a can. At some point when I was on a molasses kick I decided to try making my own baked beans. The key characteristic of Boston Baked Beans is the use of Molasses. So prevalent was the use of molasses among Bostonians due to run distilling that there was actually a molasses flood that killed 21 people!
The first time I made these beans, it was a remarkable failure. The flavors were fine, but the beans never got soft. Some people say that you shouldn't put salt in the water until after they're soft, others say the only thing that matters is getting fresh beans. Either way, I think looking for fresh beans (as opposed to ones that have been sitting on a shelf for a year) and adding salt close to the end is a fine strategy. The salt from the bacon is probably enough as it is, and the beans don't need all that much more salt.
Many Boston Baked Bean recipes call for salt pork, but I find some nice, cruelty-free country-cut bacon is easier to lay my hands on, and just as tasty. I use a slow cooker for this recipe, but if you have a ceramic bean pot you can cook it in there in the oven. These beans are great as dinner, or my suggestion is eating them on top of eggs and toast (or naan, as pictured) for a great English Breakfast! The beans keep for quite a while, so you can experiment with different ways to eat them. You can also cook brown bread or cornbread as an accompaniment, for a more traditional approach.
Serves: 6 - 8 people
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 8-12 hours
The first time I made these beans, it was a remarkable failure. The flavors were fine, but the beans never got soft. Some people say that you shouldn't put salt in the water until after they're soft, others say the only thing that matters is getting fresh beans. Either way, I think looking for fresh beans (as opposed to ones that have been sitting on a shelf for a year) and adding salt close to the end is a fine strategy. The salt from the bacon is probably enough as it is, and the beans don't need all that much more salt.
Many Boston Baked Bean recipes call for salt pork, but I find some nice, cruelty-free country-cut bacon is easier to lay my hands on, and just as tasty. I use a slow cooker for this recipe, but if you have a ceramic bean pot you can cook it in there in the oven. These beans are great as dinner, or my suggestion is eating them on top of eggs and toast (or naan, as pictured) for a great English Breakfast! The beans keep for quite a while, so you can experiment with different ways to eat them. You can also cook brown bread or cornbread as an accompaniment, for a more traditional approach.
Serves: 6 - 8 people
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 8-12 hours
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Signing UpStep 1Ingredients
1 lb beans - Traditionally you would use great northern or navy beans. I like using pinto or cranberry beans too, depending on what's available in my neighborhood
1/2 lb cruelty-free, country-cut bacon or salt pork
1 medium onion, finely diced
1/3 cup molasses (you can substitute honey, but then they'll be honey baked beans not Boston baked beans, but this recipe works well either way)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbs worcestershire sauce
1 tbs dry ground mustard seed
Salt to taste
Equipment
- crock pot or bean pot
- skillet
1/2 lb cruelty-free, country-cut bacon or salt pork
1 medium onion, finely diced
1/3 cup molasses (you can substitute honey, but then they'll be honey baked beans not Boston baked beans, but this recipe works well either way)
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbs worcestershire sauce
1 tbs dry ground mustard seed
Salt to taste
Equipment
- crock pot or bean pot
- skillet
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Great recipe, well done!