Maple Baked Beans

Yes, we have been bombarded by snow here in the North East.  As long as I don't have to go anywhere, I don't mind the snow.  Its nice to have an excuse to stay home.  What really cracks me up is that there were a ton of people at the grocery store when the snow started coming.  Yes, I was there but only because I was working.  If I did not have to work I would not have been there.  People act like they're going to be snowed in for a week.  With all the plows we have around here I rather doubt that will happen.

I saw these on Serious Eats.  They looked real good.  I opted out of the bacon and brown sugar on top at the end.  I really enjoyed the flavor but felt the beans needed more liquid.


Maple Baked Beans
Adapted from this recipe at Serious Eats.

2 cup dried navy beans
6 strips bacon
1 onion chopped
1 teaspoon dried mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 pork hock, fresh or smoked

Preheat oven to 325°. Simmer navy beans in water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain beans and reserve cooking liquid. Line bean pot with strips of bacon. In a large bowl toss together onion and beans. In another bowl combine 2 cups bean cooking liquid, mustard, salt and maple syrup. Place half the bean mixture on bacon strips in pot. Place pork hock on beans, top with rest of bean onion mixture, then pour over reserved cooking liquid/syrup mixture. Cover with lid and place in oven for 3 hours, or until pork hock is fully cooked and pulling away from the bone. If beans begin to look dry, add more cooking liquid. 

Once pork hock is cooked, remove beans from oven and remove lid.  Remove from oven and serve with cold beer and dark bread.