ANNE BURRELL’S ROCKIN’ BAKED BEANS, adapted

One of my favorite chefs is Anne Burrell, who currently teaches at the Culinary Institute of America in addition to hosting several Food Network shows.  On a recent episode of “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” Chef Burrell made her “Rockin’ Baked Beans.”  I increased the sugar in the recipe slightly and thought they were just right, but my hubby wanted them sweeter.  If you’re like my hubby and want your beans on the sweet side, add an additional 1/4 cup of brown sugar.  The original recipe calls for canned beans, but I opted for dried beans that I cooked first.  If you want to shorten your cooking time, use canned beans. 
I liked the complex flavors of this hearty dish.  The vegetables and meats with the sweet-hot tones were tasty and satisfying enough to be used as a main dish.
  

Anne Burrell’s Rockin’ Baked Beans, adapted Rating:  8.5 out of 10 Click for PRINTABLE PAGE

INGREDIENTS: 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium-large onion, cut into 1/2” dice 1/2 of a large green pepper, cut into a 1/4” dice kosher salt, to taste 3 garlic cloves, grated on a microplane grater 2 links hot Italian sausage, casings removed 1/3 cup tomato paste 3/4 tsp. ground cumin 1-1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1-1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 4 Tbsp. molasses 1/4 cup brown sugar 5 cups cooked navy beans (1 lb. pkg.), or 3 15-oz. cans navy beans 2-1/2 cups bean liquid, or bean liquid and water to equal 2-1/2 cups, divided use 5 slices bacon Coat an oven-safe pot with 2 Tbsp. olive oil and put over medium-high heat. Add the onions and peppers.   Season with salt, to taste, and cook until the onions and peppers are soft and aromatic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Add the sausage and use a spoon to help break it apart. When the sausage is brown, add the tomato paste and cumin and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the Dijon, apple cider vinegar, and molasses, then add in the beans and 1 1/2 cups of water.  Taste and season with salt, if needed. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the beans until they are nice and thick and taste really good, about 15 to 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add the remaining cup of water. Top the beans with the bacon slices.  Bake until the beans are nice and thick and the bacon is crispy, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve.

You might also want to try Company Baked Beans.  They're mild and flavorful and downright good.

Maple Baked Beans for a Crowd have a nice kick with a little sweetness.

Baked Beans with Ground Beef are a real man pleaser, with ground beef and bacon and a nice tang from a little brown sugar and some apple cider vinegar.