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Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
---|---|
240 | Calories |
3g | Fat |
42g | Carbs |
13g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 10 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 240 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 3g | 4% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
Cholesterol 7mg | 2% |
Sodium 455mg | 20% |
Total Carbohydrate 42g | 15% |
Dietary Fiber 7g | 25% |
Total Sugars 15g | |
Protein 13g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 3% |
Calcium 102mg | 8% |
Iron 3mg | 18% |
Potassium 759mg | 16% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
They don't call Boston "Beantown" for nothing. Boston baked beans has been spreading happiness at picnics and potlucks for hundreds of years. Boston baked beans are usually made with navy beans, but any small dried bean will work in this recipe.
Slow-cooked until tender and flavored with brown sugar, molasses, onions, and bacon, these beans will be the star of your next barbecue lunch or family dinner. While the recipe takes some time, it's mostly hands-off and is easy to prepare. Serve hot or transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm.
Ingredients
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1 pound dry navy beans
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6 cups water
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1 pinch baking soda
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1 bay leaf
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6 strips bacon (cut in 1/2-inch pieces or 4 ounces traditional salt pork)
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1 yellow onion (diced)
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1/3 cup molasses
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1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
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1 teaspoon dry mustard
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1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Soak the beans in the 6 cups of water overnight in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
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Add a pinch of baking soda and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
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Drain into a colander set over a large bowl and reserve the liquid. Preheat the oven to 300 F.
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Transfer the drained beans into a Dutch oven or bean pot if you have one and add the remaining ingredients. Stir until combined.
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Add enough of the reserved water to just barely cover the beans. Cover the pot tightly and place in the oven for 1 hour.
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Uncover and check the liquid level—do not stir the beans. Add some more reserved liquid if the beans are getting too dry. Cover and cook 1 more hour.
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Uncover and test the beans; they should be getting tender, but if they're still firm, cover and cook a bit longer, adding a splash of water if they're getting too dry.
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When tender, turn the heat up to 350 F and continue to cook uncovered for another 30 minutes or so. This is to give the beans a nice crust on top as well as reduce the liquid to a thick, syrupy consistency. Remove when ready and serve hot or room temperature.
Tips
- The cooking times will vary, but the process will not. After boiling, bake the beans covered until tender and finish uncovered until the beans are crusty and liquid has thickened.
- Other good bean options include pinto beans and cannellini beans.
- If you're concerned about the texture of the bacon, you can pan-fry it first before adding to the beans.
- For vegetarians and vegans, simply leave out the bacon or salted pork.
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