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Baked Beans (Boston Baked Beans)

sjfegan

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4
Servings

Ingredients

  • 400g (2 cups) Dried navy beans, soaked overnight
  • 150g Salt pork, cubed
  • 115g (1/3 cup) Molasses
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 720ml (3 cups) Water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. Drain the soaked beans and simmer in fresh water for 30 minutes until slightly softened; drain, reserving the liquid.
  2. Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).
  3. Combine the beans, salt pork, molasses, chopped onion and mustard in a baking dish.
  4. Add enough of the reserved cooking liquid to just cover the beans.
  5. Cover and bake for 4–5 hours, checking occasionally and adding more liquid if needed, until the beans are very tender and the sauce has thickened.
  6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Introduction: Dried beans slow-baked with molasses and salt pork, a beloved and enduring dish especially associated with colonial New England.

Cultural Background: Baked beans reflect a fusion of Native American bean cookery with colonial ingredients like molasses, brought via the triangular trade, becoming a particularly beloved staple in New England, traditionally prepared for a leisurely Saturday supper.

Tips: A long, slow bake is essential for the beans to become properly tender and absorb the molasses flavour. Check periodically and add liquid as needed to prevent the beans from drying out.

Variations: Adjust the molasses quantity for a sweeter or less sweet finish. Add a bay leaf for extra depth of flavour.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in an oven, adding a splash of water if needed.

Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 320 kcal, 14 g protein, 10 g fat, 46 g carbohydrate.

FAQs:

Q: Why is this dish associated with Boston?

A: New England’s role in the molasses trade made the sweetener readily available there, and slow-baked beans became a particularly beloved regional tradition, especially for Saturday evening suppers.

Q: How long have baked beans been made this way?

A: The combination of Native American bean cultivation techniques with colonial ingredients like molasses reflects cooking traditions established well within the colonial period.

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