Kerrys Basic Brown Beans Recipes

BROWN BEANS

Steps:

• Pick over the beans, rinse them, and place them in a large bowl with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and enough water to cover by 3 or 4 inches. Allow the beans to soak overnight.
• The next day, drain and rinse the beans, and place them in a large pot. Stir in the chicken broth, ham hock, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Simmer the beans over low heat for 4 hours, adding water occasionally if needed to keep the soupy consistency. Remove the ham hock before serving.

BASIC BROWN BEANS

Steps:

• Add the beans, chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pepper to a large pot. Add cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until tender, about 6 hours. Serve as part of a taco bar.

SWEDISH BROWN BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse dry beans, if used, and add water and salt. Simmer until tender, 1 to 2 hours. Add more water if beans tend to boil dry.
• When cooked, add syrup and vinegar, adjust seasonings and serve hot. Dish can be prepared day before.

BOSTON BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight in cold water. Simmer the beans in the same water until tender, approximately 1 to 2 hours. Drain and reserve the liquid.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Arrange the beans in a 2 quart bean pot or casserole dish by placing a portion of the beans in the bottom of dish, and layering them with bacon and onion.
• In a saucepan, combine molasses, salt, pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and pour over beans. Pour in just enough of the reserved bean water to cover the beans. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.
• Bake for 3 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until beans are tender. Remove the lid about halfway through cooking, and add more liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from getting too dry.

GRANDMA BROWN'S BEANS

Steps:

• add 1 teaspoon baking soda to 6 cups water.
• bring water to a boil.
• sort through beans for debris.
• add navy beans to water.
• boil 10 minutes.
• turn off heat.
• cover pot.
• let sit overnight.
• rinse beans well.
• add beans and all other ingredients to oven proof pot with tight fitting lid.
• stir well.
• add water until beans are just covered.
• cover pot with lid.
• bake 5 to 6 hours at 300°F.
• every hour stir and add water to cover if beans are drying out.
• final product should be a thick and not runny.

SOUTHERN HAM AND BROWN BEANS

Steps:

• Place the beans and water in a large stockpot. Add the ham hock, onion and garlic. Season with chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes. Cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for one hour.
• Return the pot to the heat, and bring to a boil once again. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for at least 3 hours to blend flavors. The longer you simmer, the thicker the broth will become. I like to cook mine for about 6 hours.
• Remove the ham hock from the broth, and let cool. Remove the meat from the bone, and return the meat to the stockpot, discarding the bone. Adjust seasonings to taste.

KERRY'S BEANY SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in barley and reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes or until tender. Let cool.
• In a saucepan bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil add the rice. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes or until tender. Let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooled barley, rice, black beans, kidney beans, corn, onions, red bell pepper and cilantro. Mix well.
• To make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, chili powder, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Whisk in oil and pour over salad and toss well. Transfer to a lettuce-lined bowl to serve.

KERI'S BAKED BEANS (THE WORLD'S BEST!)

Steps:

• Brown pork sausage and remove from pan. When cooled, break into smaller bits.
• Brown bacon and remove from pan.
• Saute onion and green pepper in bacon grease and remove from pan.
• Mix all ingredients into a large baking dish and bake at 325º for 1 hour, or simmer on stove top in large pot for 30 minutes if you don't have time to do them in the oven.
• This is a rather spicy recipe due to the chipotle/cayenne powder. Feel free to leave it out if you'll be feeding those who prefer a less spicy taste.