Monday, January 31, 2011

Maple-Baked Beans


I'm still not completely in love with beans, but I'm trying! Baked beans is one of the few ways I enjoy eating them. I've tried a few recipes and these two are my favourite. I don't have a photo of the second recipe but I remember really liking it, so I wanted to include it. They're pretty similar so you can't go wrong either way. The first recipe is from my new go to cookbook, Canadian Living: The Vegetarian Collection. The recipes in this book use easy to find ingredients for the most part and there's a really good variety of recipes. I usually try at least 1 new recipe from it every week. I just bought Cooking Light - Way to Cook Vegetarian, hoping that it would be as good as the Canadian Living one but I'm not sure it will be. Haven't tried anything yet from it though, have you guys?


Abby playing on the couch with her favourite cow toy.


If this sounds good, you might also like:
Black Bean and Zucchini Chilaquiles
Orzo Salad with Chickpeas, Dill and Lemon
Frijoles, Etc. Casserole
Refried Beans

Maple-Baked Beans
Adapted from Canadian Living: The Vegetarian Collection

3 cups dried navy beans
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, diced
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp dry mustard
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups (500 mL) tomato sauce
1/3 cup maple syrup
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp molasses
1 1/2 cups bean cooking liquid, vegetable broth or water

Rinse and soak dried beans overnight in three times their volume of water. (Or for quick-soak method, bring to boil; boil gently for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.) Drain.

In saucepan, cover beans again with three times their volume of water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid.

In saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, apple, garlic, mustard, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper until softened, about 8 minutes.

Stir in tomato puree maple syrup, vinegar and molasses; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Scrape into food processor; pour in bean cooking liquid and puree until smooth.

In bean pot or 16-cup (4 L) casserole, combine beans and sauce. Cover and bake in 300F oven for 2 hours. Uncover and bake until thickened and beans are coated, about 1 hour.

Baked Beans
Inspired by Dinner & Dessert & Lisa's Kitchen

1 1/2 cups dried navy beans, rinsed and picked over
1/2 cup boiling water
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon molasses
2 tbsp brown sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt

Soak beans overnight. Drain, then cover with water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Be careful not to overcook the beans as they will turn to mush when you bake them.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Drain the beans and reserve the cooking liquid. Combine the beans in a casserole dish with remaining ingredients. Bake covered for 2 to 2 1/2 hours; uncover for the last hour of cooking. If they become too dry, add a little reserved bean water.

15 comments:

Olivia said...

Hi there! I've been using recipes off of your blog for years and thought I should finally comment telling you how much I love them! I'm new to the blogging world, but if you ever get the chance I'd love for you to come visit mine:)

Johanna GGG said...

that first recipe looks great - though sounds quite spicy - I've tried a few baked beans - one that you cook over night instead of soaking beans and one that uses rum and yoghurt - not convinced either is my ultimate recipe

Joanne said...

I have a serious love of beans and they are definitely better when you cook them from scratch! These maple baked beans sound delicious. I'm definitely going to have to seek out both of those cookbooks!

Eschelle Westwood Mumfection said...

my hubby and little one LOVE baked beans but i have never attempted to make them from scratch I will DEFINITELY try this out I HATE canned food I try to use practically NON of it!

Rusty said...

For me, being from the UK, it seems odd that someone wouldn't like baked beans! They're a staple over here. However we don't have beans like the maple ones and (as a massive baked beans fan - especially straight from the can ^_^) I think they sound amazing. Maybe this'll be the recipe that has me making my own beans...

Anonymous said...

I have never made anything from a Cooking Light recipe that I enjoyed eating. They sound promising, but just don't cross the finish line...

briarrose said...

Awesome pic! :)

Yummy baked beans. I love the maple flavor.

Anonymous said...

Yum. Baked beans are a weakness of mine at BBQs. Can't help myself!

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Oh yummy! My boyfriend despises most legumes to my great dismay (it's a big tough when I only eat seafood and not other meat!) but I think even he likes beans prepared this way. In fact, I'm pretty sure my dishes like sweet onions with kale and white beans seem like bean blasphemy to him :).

kimberleyblue said...

I like baked beans, and these sound seriously good! I like Canadian Living recipes generally, so I'm sure I would love these.

LauraJayne said...

I love baked beans - but I've been afraid to try making my own because I've *heard* that it is impossible to make them taste like good 'ole vegetarian canned (sad, I know, to want to make something taste like a canned food). Either way, I'm definitely trying your recipe!
I saw the Vegetarian Cooking Light cookbook this weekend - and I was intrigued, but not enough to buy it yet! I definitely need to hear some reviews!

Johanna GGG said...

the rum and yoghurt baked beans were good but just not what I think are proper baked beans - I should post the recipe some day as I haven't made them for years

grace said...

i'm a lover of all things beany, but flavored baked beans hold a special place in my heart. excellent post. :)

janet @ the taste space said...

Oooh.. a two-for-one recipe post! I have been meaning ot make baked beans for a while but haven't gotten around to it just yet... on my list of things to make! :)

test it comm said...

Making your own baked beans sounds like fun and maple sure is a great way to go!