Old Fashioned Country Beans Recipes

THE SECRET TO PERFECT OLD FASHIONED PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse the bag of beans well and remove any that look like they are past their prime. If unsure - chuck it.
• Pour the beans into a large bowl and cover with at least 2 inches of water and allow to soak overnight. Alternately, you can boil the beans at a steady boil for about 10 minutes before you begin to cook them. Whether you soak or parboil, pour the water off from this step.
• In a six quart stock pot on medium heat, heat the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic until they smell really good and the pieces become translucent.
• Remove the pot from the heat and add the beans, bacon, salt, chicken broth concentrate, one bay leaf and sugar and enough cool clean water to cover the beans by 2 inches. (If you are sensitive to salt, then you can always decrease the amount)
• Heat the beans on medium until they come to a light boil then reduce the heat to low.
• Stir the beans occasionally and don't let them get to a strong boil. Cook until done. I tell doneness by tasting - you could also spoon some out and smash it in your fingers. If it is smashy- through and through - they are done.

OLD FASHIONED BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Place the dried beans in a pot of water covered by a few inches of water and let soak overnight. Drain the beans, place them back in the pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for one hour, then drain, reserving the liquid. See NOTE.
• In a Dutch oven or other oven-proof pot fry the bacon until crispy then add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.Stir in the tomato sauce, molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and bay leaf.Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved bean water and the beans.Bring everything to a simmer for a minute or two to heat it up. In the meantime preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Transfer the Dutch oven with the lid on to the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 2 to 3 hours or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened, removing the lid during the last 20-30 minutes to help the sauce thicken. NOTE: If at any point during the cooking process too much liquid evaporates and the beans get dry, add a little more of the reserved bean water. The beans themselves can vary from batch to batch and you may end up either needing to add more liquid if the beans are too dry or you may need to bake the beans longer with the lid off if there is too much liquid. Adjust as needed.Add more salt the pepper to taste.Serve immediately or let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave.
• SLOW COOKER METHOD: Follow steps 1 and 2 and then pour everything into the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until the beans are tender. Open the lid for the last 30 minutes or longer until the sauce has thickened. If the beans are too thick at any point and too much liquid has evaporated, stir in a little extra water.

OLD-FASHIONED BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring beans, salt and 2 qt. water to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; let stand for 1 hour. Drain beans and discard liquid. Return beans to pan. Cover with remaining water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender. Drain, reserving liquid. In a greased 2-1/2 qt. baking dish, combine beans, 1 cup liquid, onion, molasses, bacon, brown sugar, mustard and pepper. Cover and bake at 325° for 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until beans are as thick as desired thickness, stirring occasionally. Add more of the reserved cooking liquid if needed.

OLD-FASHIONED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, brown sugar and water. Stir gently; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until beans are crisp-tender, 15 minutes. Remove to a serving bowl with a slotted spoon.

SLOW-COOKED COUNTRY GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Add the oil in a medium, heavy saucepan. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Add the ham hocks, garlic, and beans. Add enough water to almost completely cover the beans. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 hours. Remove from the heat and serve with the cooking liquid.

OLD-FASHIONED COUNTRY BEANS

Steps:

• Place bacon in large saucepan and cover with water; boil 20 minutes.
• Add green beans, onions, salt, sugar and cayenne; boil 15 minutes.
• Add potatoes; boil until potatoes are tender.

GREEN BEANS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

Steps:

• Wash beans and snap them into 1 1/2" pieces, discarding ends.
• Cover with water and add salt and bacon grease.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Turn down to simmer and continue cooking for about an hour.
• Pour off water and add 2 T butter. Let sit with lid on for a minute for butter to melt, then toss beans a little to distribute butter.