Baked Beans - From Scratch

Another pleasant childhood memory!

When I was growing up in central Florida a family from Pennsylvania moved next door. The Campbell's quickly became close friends as our parents played cards several nights per week. We often met at one or the other's home for impromptu family dinners.
Laura Campbell introduced my southern family to some new and different food. Our southern table was always covered with an array of vegetables, breads and meat. The Campbells, by contrast, would often make one dish for dinner. Cooking these baked beans was always an event for our families. Because the cooking time is so long we all had to endure the aroma of the beans baking for hours before we could finally eat! Laura served the beans with a good, crusty bread and butter.  (See "Tips" at bottom for vegan version.)

Ingredients & Preparation

You will need
2 packages dried Great Northern Beans (12 oz. pkgs) 1 1/2 cup ketchup 2tsp salt 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1 medium onion, diced 1/2 lbs bacon, cut into 2 inch pieces maple syrup (optional) Serves:  Many Preparation Time:  15 Minutes/Overnight soak Cooking Time:  3 to 4 Hours Oven Temperature:  325

Step 1: Prepare beans

 Soak the beans overnight in water to cover. Drain water and cover with fresh water generously salted. Over medium heat simmer beans until the skin breaks when you blow on one. Drain water.

Step 2: Mix ingredients and bake

Mix beans with all ingredients except bacon. In a large crock or deep pan, layer bean mixture with bacon. End with bacon on top.
Pour a little maple syrup over all if you like. Bake at 325 degrees for 3 to 4 hours

For a vegan version, make these beans without the bacon.  I made them recently for a church picnic without the bacon and they were delicious! 

Whole Wheat Pie Crust

If gluten is not a problem for your diet this is a great crust.  This is one of the many great recipes I received from Dr. Deb Harrell when I took her fabulous nutrition class.  I am hoping to have Dr. Deb do a nutrition "intensive" class in my area soon.  Thanks Deb!

 

Ingredients & Preparation

You will need

1 1/2 cup Whole wheat pastry flour 1/2tsp Fine sea salt 1/3 cup Coconut oil 3tbsp Ice water 1 1/2tsp Ice water Serves:  1 10 Inch pie crust Preparation Time:  10 Minutes Cooking Time:  10 Minutes Step 1: Prepare crust Put the flour and salt in a bowl and stir together. Add the oil and water and stir until it forms a crumbly meal. Gather up the dough into a ball (the dough will be moist.) Press the dough evenly and firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 10 inch pie plate. Flute the edges of the crust if desired. Bake 10 minutes before fillingven Temperature:  350