A delightful take on classic baked beans, enhanced with a touch of maple syrup and smoked paprika for a rich and smoky flavor.
Soak the dried beans in a large bowl of cold water overnight.
Soaking the beans helps to reduce cooking time and improve their texture.
Drain and rinse the beans, then place them in a saucepan with fresh cold water.
Rinsing the beans removes any impurities and ensures a clean flavor.
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the beans for 30 minutes. Drain the beans.
Simmering the beans softens them, making them ready for baking.
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
Preheating ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
Layer the onion slices at the bottom of a casserole dish.
The onions will infuse the beans with a sweet and savory flavor.
In a bowl, mix the salt, cider vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and pepper.
Mixing the seasonings beforehand ensures an even distribution of flavors.
Add the beans to the casserole dish and pour the seasoning mixture over them. Add water to cover the beans.
Adding water helps to create a sauce as the beans bake.
Arrange the bacon slices on top of the beans, cover the dish, and bake in the oven for 7 hours.
Slow baking allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Halfway through baking, remove 1 cup of beans, mash them, and stir them back into the dish.
Mashing some beans thickens the sauce and enhances the texture.
One hour before serving, remove the cover to allow the beans to darken and develop a rich color.
Uncovering the dish helps to caramelize the top layer for added flavor.
Serve the baked beans warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Fresh herbs like parsley or chives add a pop of color and freshness.
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