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Barb's Easy Stove-top Beans Recipe

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My Favorite Bean Dish

I love bean dishes -- especially if they are quick and easy. This is, like most of the recipes I use day in an day out, not always the same. It took me a long time to realize that many recipes are just jumping off places. The ingredients that remain pretty constant are listed here:

  • 4-6 pieces of bacon, depending on whether it's your only meat

  • 1 medium onion

  • 1 T cooking oil, or enough to cover surface if not using non-stick pan

  • About 3 cans (14.5 oz cans) baked beans of your choice. I use at least 2 Bush's Original and maybe a can of generic or other pork and beans, depending upon what's on hand.

  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) dark red kidney beans.

  • About 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (I use Roma or paste tomatoes) or 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes. I use whatever I have on hand. I normally find tomatoes which need to be used fast and use those.

  • 2 T. molasses (Use more or less to taste.)

  • 2-4 T Brown sugar, according to taste

  • 1 t. brown mustard, according to taste



In addition to this you can add any cooked leftover chicken or pork you might have on hand. When I made this batch, I had grilled two boneless pork chops and saved them for this. So when you grill, make a little extra to add to the beans. It's not necessary, but it's yummy.

One thing you will notice in my recipes is that since they are in my head, not on paper, I often leave an ingredient out of the picture of ingredients because I don't remember it until it's time to add it. This time I left the Dijon mustard out.
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You will also need a large (12-inch), heavy skillet with a cover (preferably a glass cover). I prefer a good quality non-stick surface. You will also need a cutting board, a sharp vegetable knife for slicing tomatoes and onion. I like to use a crock pot at the end to finish up, but this is not necessary.

Here's How to Make My Favorite Quick and Easy Beans

First cook bacon crisp and put on paper towel to drain. Set aside.

Drain bacon grease from pan and add 1 T oil or enough to cover surface if pan is not non-stick.

Then dice fresh tomatoes and onion.

Heat oil for about a minute so it's hot but not smoking.

Saute onions and tomatoes in the hot oil.

Onions and tomatoes are finished.

You know they are finished because the onions are translucent. You should almost be able to see through them. Now add the brown sugar, molasses, and mustard. Stir well. Heat through until bubbly, stirring often to prevent burning on bottom.

Stir in beans.

You will want to drain the kidney beans before adding, but go ahead and add the sauce with the baked beans. Sometimes I will drain a little of the liquid off if a particular brand has a lot of excess juice. Stir well until seasonings are thoroughly mixed.

Heat through until bubbly again. Keep stirring as it heats.

Cut pork or other meat, if you have any, into bite sized pieces to give the beans more flavor.

Crumble bacon into small pieces.

Stir the bacon and /or pork or other left-over cooked meat into the bean mixture.

Mix well .

Heat, while continuing to stir over medium heat, until bubbly.

When bubbly, turn heat down as low as you can and simmer uncovered for about thirty minutes or until a lot of the liquid has evaporated.

Put beans in crockpot if desired.

This is not necessary.

You have a choice. You can either continue to simmer, stirring every few minutes to prevent burning for as long as possible, or you can put the hot bean mixture into a crockpot (4 quarts, minimum) and leave it for hours until you are ready to eat.

Cover and put crockpot back on heating element.

I made this the night before an estate sale and put it in the crock pot and left it on all night and most of the next day. That way, it was there waiting whenever anyone had a break to eat. The crock pot is also a great idea if you are having a buffet or open house.

This is also very good cold to take on a picnic.

Please let me know you stopped by.

I always appreciate feedback from my visitors.

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About BarbRad

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Some of these recipes will go well with this easy bean dish.
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BarbRad

In my life I've been student, public library clerk, English teacher in public school, elementary teacher in private schools,card buyer for Logos Bookstore... more »

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