December 5, 2008

smells like bean spirit

Most of my most beloved smells originate in the kitchen: hot apple pie (or, let's be serious, anything involving cinnamon), coffee, and Eb and his freshly-baked sourdough bread, to name only a few. One of my less-obvious favorites is the aroma of spicy baked beans as they bubble away in the oven.


I hesitate to say it, but isn't it unfortunate how something can smell so good at first, and then a few hours later be so foul and offensive?

[I'm sorry--is that distasteful blog content? Meh, it's a fact of life. But seriously, if you're repulsed, I apologize. My excuse is that I was raised sandwiched between two brothers.]

This is a recipe that I've tweaked and honed until it suits me perfectly. I'll bet you have your favorite version of baked beans, too, and I hope you'll agree--they're worth the inevitable trouble...

Blissful Baked Beans
1 15-oz can pork & beans
1 15-oz can northern beans, drained
2 cups Fordhook lima beans
1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 10-oz can diced tomatoes with chiles, partially drained
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown mustard
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon chile powder
1 teaspoon oregano

Combine all ingredients and stir. Pour into large baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until amount of liquid of choice remains, stirring occasionally. Consume with a side of
Bean-o.

37 comments:

  1. Oooh, wowie - I just buy them from the can, heh heh.

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  2. Hmm, so the making process smells and then everyone who ate it smells too. haha Well, I still love beans!

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  3. I have never actually "baked" beans and have wanted to try a recipe for authentic baked beans. These look so good! My middle child is CRAZY about beans and would eat them every day if he could. And yes...he is the gassiest of all my boys! Seeing that you are sandwiched between two brothers, you are familiar with the joys of living with stinky boys!

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  4. You're killing me with that side of Beano! I think I'll have to try this way of making beans during bbq season

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  5. My dearly beloved would just shoot me if I brought any beans other than green into the house!

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  6. Me thinks beans and octopus would be a wonderful pairing, no? lol

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  7. I have a bean recipe called Party Beans, I think I originally got it from Taste of Home. I too have tweaked it over the years. Similar in some ways to yours. I like your choice of spices. I have been wanting to make some beans for a while.

    Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot, the more you toot, the better you feel, so each your beans and make it real. Not sure of the last line there but I couldnt resist sharing.

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  8. I also have a bean recipe, one of the few handed down from Mama .. requested by the family at summer BBQ's ... love baked beans!

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  9. That looks wonderful. I make my grandma's recipe, but it doesn't have all the spice yours does. (Think she woulda had plenty in West Texas, but I guess not.) I was surprised you didn't put cinnamon in them! :)

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  10. i still love beans, no matter what. hey, if everyone in the family eats, then we'll just to form an orchestra later... LOL!

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  11. haha!! your blog always make me laugh!

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  12. This is quite interesting... and funny. And the photo even makes it look quite pretty despite the smell talk! :)

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  13. oooh, i love baked beans in the mornings, with some toasted baguette and a nicely poached egg. these sound perfect for such a meal!

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  14. I love baked beans but have never made them before. Great recipe!

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  15. I never thought to make baked beans before but the ones I've eaten at cafes (made there) are delicious. I should give this a go!

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  16. Why do beans smell so bad...later? :) Well, regardless baked beans and bbq sounds like a good comfort meal to me! Just need to find someone to make the bbq for me now...

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  17. Lima beans, tomatoes...I've never seen a baked bean recipe with theses ingredients in them. I bet its good Grace!

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  18. Where do I get Fordhook limas? Maybe I've just never seen them becuase I don't think I've ever bought limas from a can?

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  19. did Peter just say baked beans & octopus? ick!
    I love baked beans, and my hubby HATES them. Tell me, have you ever met a man that hates baked beans? Weird right?
    Baked beans give me gas like there is no tomorrow, but I love them anyway.

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  20. Lol...beans, beans, the magical fruit :D! I love 'em :).

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  21. with four kids in my house and one stinky man if i feed them these i'd need a gas mask because you know i'd don't have gas at all... no siree!

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  22. Thanks for the laugh. I have this incredible visual of the beano sitting front and centre on the table and clothes pins all round. I'm so sick.

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  23. Smells like bean spirit?!
    Ahahahah! I love it.

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  24. That is right! Kudos for showcasing the humble bean in such a delicious way.

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  25. I love baked beans, and my favorite way to prepare them is simply to add brown sugar, bbq sauce, ketchup, relish, diced onion, garlic, and then let it all simmer for a few hours in the slow cooker. However, after a very misfortunate incident involving transporting these in my husband's car and a sharp left turn, I am no longer allowed to buy or make baked beans-- as he cannot stand the smell (after spending weeks trying to get them cleaned out of the car).

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  26. i love baked beans...but i hear ya, they do have some unhappy side effects! oh well, i still love them!

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  27. I am making baked bean in cooking class tomorrow. But yours look really good, even better...that will piss my chef/instructor off.

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  28. That title - you crack me up!!

    Baked beans is something I've always wanted to make but never seem to get round to it. Never even heard of some of the beans you mention in the ingredient list but I certainly want to give this a try. Comfort food of note!

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  29. "Consume with a side of Bean-o" lol! Have you ever tried baking your beans from scratch, ie: with dried beans? So good! :)

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  30. You are too funny! But these do sound amazing!

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  31. i looooooooooooove baked beans :)

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  32. wow, never thought of doctoring up a can of baked beans (which I do love by the way, the can placed directly in a campfire with hot dogs)...

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  33. I love baked beans and one of the things I love about summer is the smoker going outside and the inside of the house filled up with that beautiful smell of beans baking. Although sometimes I will throw them on the smoker to give them more smokiness flavor.

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  34. I haven't commented on your blog in ages....the job has been keeping me away from my google reader....but I must say, I am LOVING the titles of your blog posts! :D

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  35. This southern grace is look great.

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  36. Just had to shoot out a thanks to you! I wanted southern inspired beans today for a family dinner, and found these last night. I made a spin-off, but close. Husband loved the flavor! Thank you!

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