Donna's Easy Bean Dish

Originally (and a long time ago!), I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Donna.  If you would like to  make a quick 'n easy baked bean dish, you will really like this recipe!  And,... almost everyone within 'smelling range' will like how your kitchen smells!  I like taking this to picnics and other pot luck doings.


Combine and simmer for about 15-minutes on the stove top:

1 # lean bacon that's been fried, patted 'dry' and cut or crumbled
1 large onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dry yellow mustard powder


Pour the above hot mixture over the following:

2 cans (15-16 oz. each) drained butter beans
1 can (15-16 oz.) drained kidney beans
1 can (15-16 oz.) drained Lima beans
1 can (15-16 oz.) drained black beans
1 larger size (close to 30 oz.) Van Camps or Bush pork 'n beans with liquid.

Note:   I do save the combination of 'drained juices' only until after serving the beans.  Why?  For just in case they would end up being a little dry after a while.  If that should happen, which it usually does NOT, I could add a little 'bean juice' instead of anything else.

Gently mix beans together well, put into a casserole dish and bake for about 30-minutes, or into a crock pot for a couple of hours on low heat to simmer.

Black Bean Brownies*

I like!...

With just a package of Brownie Mix AND 
a can of black beans,... 

you're 'in business' for having a basic brownie!!!!
(Yes, skip the oil-- skip the eggs.)

I ended up with a very MOIST brownie...

WOWSERIE!  A package of Brownie Mix and a can of black beans-- 

on your mark, get set, and... GO!!!      

 What a simple way to add a load of protein and fiber 

to something so many of us already like!

 You won't believe how simple this is, and how 'hidden' 

(how 'not there') the beans will be! 

 If YOU don't tell, even a 'bean hater' won't know.

Ingredients:  (NO oil, NO eggs!)

• 1 package (box) of your favorite Brownie Mix**
• 1 of 14 oz. can black beans, drained, rinsed, and pureed with...
• Water (see the directions below).
• IF you want to, you can sprinkle things on top of the batter in the pan, or stir 'stuff' into it.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees.

1. Open the can of black beans.  Drain in a colander.  Run water over beans until they are 'rinsed clean'.
2. Put the rinsed beans back into their can. 
3. Fill the can of 'rinsed beans' to the top with fresh water.
4. In a blender, puree the beans/water until smooth.
5. Add the puree mixture to the brownie mix and stir until incorporated.
6. Sprinkle whatever you want on top (or, add nothing!).  Because some like nuts, and some don't, I did half-and-half with the 'additions'... like this...

7.  Pour batter into and bake in a greased pan as directed on the box.  Test for doneness with a toothpick.  With my oven, I added just a couple of minutes to the baking time.  (Do not bake until they are 'too dry'.)  Cool thoroughly before cutting.

*Because I had only a larger 26.5 ounce can of black beans on hand and didn't want to use just half-a-can, I used TWO packages of Brownie Mix and followed the recipe directions as listed above.   (To make up for the 1.5 ounce less liquid in comparison to using two of the 14 oz. cans of black beans, I added 1.5 oz. water.) By doing what I did, in using two packages of Brownie Mix and this larger can  of beans, I ended up ADDING 42 grams of protein, 36 grams of fiber to these BROWNIES!   Imagine that!!!!!!!

**You know how sometimes the Brownie Mix (even cake mixes) are a bit 'lumpy' in their bag?  I like to run the 'dry lumpy mixture' through my sifting screen so it's smooth before I add liquid things to it.  (I am sure this is not necessary, but.... it's just my preference to do it like this.)

This recipe is 'around' on the Internet (there are even some 'from scratch' recipes).  Molly Crosby (wife of Green Bay Packer kicker Mason Crosby) brought this to the Living with Amy show on Green Bay's  Fox 11.  

These came out VERY moist and fudgy!!

Baked Bean "Pie"

This was adapted from a 1967 Better Homes and Gardens book entitled Jiffy Cooking. (This IS 'Jiffy', alright!)

A relish tray of 'crunchy' is a good addition.

There were some times through the years when things got unexpectedly busy around the farm and I hadn't planned ahead... for that to happen!  So,... every now and then, it was "Open a can of Spam, and another of pork 'n beans."  This recipe is that, but with just a tiny bit more.

If you're one of those who HATE Spam, you could stand halves of your favorite 'hot dog' on end all around the pie plate.   If you hate that idea, too, you could be creative...or, ignore this altogether.

Yield:  Serves 3 or 4
You'll need:  9" pie plate

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 of 28 oz. pork 'n beans (I used Bush's maple-flavored)
• 2 tablespoons hot dog relish
• 1/2 teaspoon instant minced onion, optional
• ............................
• 1 of 12-ounce can luncheon meat (I used low-sodium Spam)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or you could use maple-flavored syrup)
• ..............................
• 1/4 cup shredded sharp process American cheese (I used Colby Jack real cheese)

DIRECTIONS:

• Slightly drain pork 'n beans (I drained off most of the juice, but saved it until I found out if I'd need to re-add any of it.)
• Combine beans, hot dog relish, and onion; bring to 'hot/bubbly' in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Pour bean mixture into pie plate.
• Brush slices of luncheon meat with syrup.
• Slide the pieces of luncheon meat into the beans (in vertical position), around the edge of the pie plate. 
• Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until meat is lightly browned;  Remove from oven.
• Sprinkle grated cheese on top, and return to oven until cheese melts.

▼

Helen's Bean Soup

Serves 6-8 (depending on bowl size)

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. dry pinto beans.  Wash and then soak the beans for about 12 hours (change the water one or two times and that will help to keep the beans from causing as much gas). 

Put soaked and drained beans into  a large kettle.
Add 2 and 1/2 quarts fresh water and simmer for 1 hour. 

Now, add: 
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ham bone OR 1/2 lb. bacon fried, drained and broken into small pieces
1 tablespoon chili powder

Simmer this for about 2 hours.  Add 2 teaspoons salt in the last hour. 

If you want a thicker soup, you can mash some of the beans.

Mexican Beans and Rice Casserole

Cook:
1 cup rice in 2 cups water with 1 tsp. butter and 1 tsp. salt (set aside)

Brown:
1 # hamburger with 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, drain

Combine:
The browned hamburger/onion mix
The cooked rice
1 of 15 oz. can chili w/beans
1 empty chili can of water (or 1/2?)

Put into greased/sprayed casserole dish.  Top with 'some' grated cheese.  Bake uncovered in 350 degree for 30-40 minutes.