Apple Cider Baked Beans
Slow cooked in a flavorful sauce, the wonderful aroma of these simmering beans
will warm hour heart and your kitchen. Beans are winter comfort food. They are
naturally low in fat and high in vegetable protein, vitamins, minerals and
fiber. Remember that one cup dried beans will yield slightly more than 2 cups
cooked.
2 cups dried white navy beans, picked over, washed and soaked (May substitute
canned beans by using three 15 ounce cans of navy beans or great northern beans.
Drain and rinse. Proceed with recipe.)
1 small onion, diced
4 tablespoons molasses
8 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 tespoons salt
2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 small bay leaf
1 teaspoons cider vinegar
4 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/3 cups apple cider, boiling
Boiling water
To prepare beans:
Pour beans onto a flat surface (countertop) in a single layer. Pick out rocks,
dirt balls, off colored and broken beans. Discard. Wash beams in two changes of
cold water. Cover with 3 inches of water and allow beans to soak overnight or 8
to 10 hours. (Quick soak method: Cover cleaned beans with 3 inches cold water
and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 10 minutes, turn heat off and let
stand for 2 hours or more. Proceed as directed below.)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Drain beans, reserving liquid. Bring liquid to a
boil. Pour beans into a deep ovenproof casserole or bean pot. Add all the
ingredients, stir and add enough reserved boiling to cover beans. Cover the
casserole with foil or the lid. Bake 6 hours, adding a little more water if
necessary afte 3 hours of baking. Yield 6 servings.