Baked Beans With A Crunchy Topping Recipes

BAKED BEANS WITH A CRUNCHY TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Brown bacon in cast iron skillet over medium heat until crisp. A regular large frying pan will work, but you'll need to use an oven-proof pan or transfer to casserole dish.
• Drain bacon on a plate covered with paper towel.
• Pour off bacon drippings from skillet reserving 1 tablespoon.
• Sweat onion in the tablespoon of drippings until soft.
• Add remaining ingredients (but not the bread crumbs) along with bacon pieces; stir to mix.
• Sprinkle crumbs on top of beans; bake in your preheated, 400 degree oven until nice and bubbly. I check after about 20 minutes. I put my beans in a casserole dish in lieu of the skillet.
• You may bake the beans in individual serving dishes. Simply top each with crumbs and bake as above.

BAKED BEANS WITH BACON BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in a large heavy wide pot over high heat; add ham, onion, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until onion caramelizes, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add ketchup, next 6 ingredients, and 4 cups water to pot; season to taste with salt and pepper. Let sauce simmer until slightly thickened, 10-15 minutes. Stir beans into sauce.
• Cover and bake beans until juices are bubbly and thickened, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, place bacon slices on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast in oven until crisp, 10-15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Let bacon cool and reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings separately.
• Coarsely crumble bacon; place in a food processor with reserved drippings and panko; pulse until bacon is finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove beans from oven. Preheat broiler. Sprinkle beans with bacon breadcrumbs. Broil, uncovered, until crumbs are golden brown, 8-10 minutes.