3 variations on baked beans: sweet, smoky, spicy
THE FREEZERS WERE too tightly packed till now to do anything but choose the forward-facing foods. (Sound familiar?) But I’ve happily eaten my way to some wiggle room, and it’s clear I have some cooking—a.k.a. restocking–to do. I’m running low on portions of my favorite food: three variations on a baked-bean theme, from sweet to smoky to spicy. The recipes, plus a nudge to try growing beans for drying next year, too.
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the recipes, and dry-bean how-to
ALL THE RECIPES are easy, and delicious as a side dish or even as a whole meal-in-a-bowl, served over brown rice with something green tucked alongside.
Bonus: My midwinter freezer check revealed a few bags of whole paste tomatoes that will go into the mix—meaning more room for the incoming bean concoctions, and for the soups I see I need to replenish, too. The recipes:
Laura Poulette says
February 10, 2015 at 8:39 amI grew dry black turtle beans for the first time last year, and have been pleased with how tasty they are. They were so satisfying to grow-and easy to store, I’m planning on trying a couple more varieties this year. Thanks for the recipe ideas!
Tibs says
February 10, 2015 at 9:33 amLast summer I planted a heirloom bush bean from the Livingston seed co. It was not a bush bean. Have you ever tried to rig up something for climbers after the fact? I had bean runners everywhere. The beans were tasty but very stringy. So I let them dry out. First time I ever shelled beans. Most tedious time consuming thing. Right down there with cleaning elderberries. Except I could space the beans out. Good taste, but not much different from great northern.
Cathy Salter says
February 11, 2015 at 8:40 amMargaret,
Do you know of a source for blackberry lilies.
I have some in my garden but would like to add other varieties.
Best,
Cathy
margaret says
February 12, 2015 at 1:44 pmHi, Cathy. Select Seeds has some, I see. So does Lazy S’s, and Forestfarm. You can also shop for them from seed.
Marlene Gakle says
February 11, 2015 at 8:49 amwow! was i glad to see the picture of the whole frozen paste tomatoes! i have some that look just like that! i was too busy to do anything else with them in the late summer so i just threw them in the freezer that way. they seem to work great just like that. thanks for confirming my actions.
Cheryl says
February 11, 2015 at 10:10 amMe too. My tomatoes looked awful. Now I might try them out
Dd says
February 11, 2015 at 8:55 amI have been growing cranberry beans from fedco for years and love them. I use Jamie Oliver’s bean receipe in his garden to table cook book. Can’t wait to try yours.