Mother’s Cookbook: Baked Beans

Baked beans have been a staple for centuries. Beans are high in protein and fiber which are part of a healthy diet.

A variety of different beans can be used such as navy, soldier, pinto, kidney, etc.

My favorite is the yellow-eye beans probably because those were the kind used by my mother.

I remember baked beans being the usually dish for Saturday’s main meal. Sometimes with potato salad or with biscuits.

Baked Beans can be baked in a couple different methods. I used Mother’s method today.

Beans got a bad rap for the gas they produced in the stomach. It was always a joke not to sit beside anyone who just had a plate of beans. I read somewhere it was a combination of potatoes with the beans that amplified the gas.

A little rhyme we sang as children about the flatulence caused by eating beans:

Beans, Beans the Musical fruit,
The more you eat, the more you toot
The more you toot, the better you feel
Then you’re ready for another meal

How I made the baked beans:

• I sorted and rinsed a pkg of the yellow-eyed beans.

• Let the beans soak overnight covered with water.

• Rinse the beans again

• The next step is to parboil the beans to aid in the softening process. Parboiling entails cooking on the stovetop. Cover to the top of the beans in cold water, let come to a vigorous boil for 5 minutes and then simmer for about 40 minutes or until nearly tender.

• I put the beans in the oven in the above baking dish and added:

• 1 Chopped Onion

• 1 Chopped Garlic

• 1/2 C. Salsa

• 1/2 Lb. Bacon ( cut into pieces)

• 1/2 C. Molasses

• Pepper & Salt as desired

Bake in 300F oven for a hour.

Hint - If beans do not seem to soften try adding a small dash of baking soda and reheat a bit longer.

My mother had an earthenware pot she used to put the beans in the oven.

Biscuits to go with the beans. Sunday Cat seems to be sad he can’t have one. :)

This makes an easy nutritious meal. The Canadian food guide has advised folks to try and make their own meals at home as much as possible. You will have control of the salt and sugar used.

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