How to Make Baked Beans

Nothing says cookout like meat on the barbeque and homemade beans in a pot. Here is an easy and oh-so-tasty recipe for homemade beans that will have them coming back for seconds...and maybe thirds.

Things You'll Need

• 1 900g bag of navy beans
• 1 large onion
• ½ package of bacon
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 1½ tsp Keen's mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1½ to 2 cups ketchup
• 1 cup maple syrup
• Knife
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large wooden or metal spoon
• Crock pot
• Large pot with a lid

Instructions

1. Place beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover the beans.

2. Presoak the beans. Place the covered bean pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Once the water comes to a rolling boil turn off the heat and remove the beans from the stove. Allow to sit for one hour. This is called a "quick soak" and will soften up your beans and allow them to cook faster.

3. Cook beans. After letting the beans soak for one hour place them on the stove once again and bring water to a boil again. Once the water boils turn the heat down so that the water is still boiling but won't boil over the top. Boil the beans this way for 1½ hours or until they "pop" (skin breaks open).

4. While beans are soaking, dice the onion and cut bacon up into medium sized cubes. Place into a bowl and refrigerate.

5. When beans are done cooking turn off the element and remove the beans from the heat. Drain the water from the beans and place in a large crock pot.

6. Add the onions, bacon, brown sugar, salt, pepper, mustard, molasses and syrup to the beans in the crock pot. Stir well with a large spoon.

7. Add 1½ cups of ketchup and stir. Taste the beans. Some people like a stronger tomato flavor. If this is the case, add another ½ cup of ketchup. Stir well.

8. Place the lid on the crock pot and set it to "low" heat. Cook for 1½ hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Use real maple syrup instead of the artificial kind for a better maple flavor.

• Don't have any real maple syrup? Use maple flavored bacon instead.