California Barbecued Bean Recipes

CALIFORNIA BARBECUED BEANS, ADAPTED FROM COOK'S COUNTRY RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• If you can find them, pinquito beans (a variety grown in the Santa Maria Valley) are traditional in this dish. Bottled taco sauce is available in the Mexican aisle of most grocery stores. Don't add the tomato puree, taco sauce, brown sugar, and salt before the beans have simmered for an hour; they will hinder the proper softening of the beans. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium heat until fat renders and pork is lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beans and water and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until beans are just soft, about 1 hour. IF MAKING HOMEMADE TACO SAUCE: Place in sauce pan and stir well, simmer at a very low temperature for 15- 20 minutes. Remove and cool. May be kept in refrigerator for several days. Stir in tomato puree, taco sauce, sugar, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until beans are completely tender and sauce is thickened, about 1 hour. (If mixture becomes too thick, add water.) Season with kosher salt, if needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve. (Beans can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.)

QUICK BARBECUED BEANS

Steps:

• In an ungreased 8-in. square disposable foil pan, combine all ingredients. , Grill, covered, over medium heat until heated through, 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

SLOW-COOKER BARBECUED BEANS

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, cook bacon and onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp and onions are tender; drain.
• In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix bacon, onion and remaining ingredients, including reserved liquid. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 to 4 hours.

CALIFORNIA BARBECUED BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans and 6 cups water in a large Dutch oven.
• Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat, cover and allow the beans to sit for 1 hour.
• Drain the beans; clean and dry the pot.
• Cook the bacon and ham in the Dutch oven over medium heat until the fat renders and the pork is lightly browned, 5-7 minutes.
• Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the drained beans and 6 cups water; bring to a simmer.
• Decrease heat to med-low, cover, and cook until the beans are just soft, about 1 hour.
• Stir in the tomato puree, taco sauce, sugar, mustard, and 2 teaspoons salt.
• Continue to simmer, uncovered, until the beans are completely tender and the sauce is thickened, about 1 hour (if the mixture becomes too thick, add water).
• Stir in the cilantro and vinegar and season with salt to taste.
• Serve.