Probably the best bang for yourpreparedness buck is the common dried bean. Cheap, accessible, easy to store, nutritious, delicious, so why doesn’t everybody have beans in their pantry? I suspect that a lot of folks have purchased them, then just let them sit around because they take some preplanning (soaking and long cooking) and it’s easier to grab a can of beans. I have done some other posts on canning beans at home and I think I have posted some recipes but I want to get down to basics and give you my recipe for baked beans. Well, it’s actually a hybrid of my recipe, Sherri’s recipe and a recipe I found in a cookbook from the 1950′s. I am thinking about beans because I can smell mine cooking and just checked on my Indian Woman beans out in the garden. I have beans on the brain today.
I started the beans yesterday afternoon. I soaked a pound of navy beans in a couple of quarts of water for 6 hours, drained the water, put in fresh water and simmered the beans for an hour and a half. Then I got out my trusty crock pot which I think uses less energy than my oven. I layered sliced onions on the bottom, put in the beans and a cup fo the reserved cooking liquid. I chopped up a hunk of slab bacon and mixed that into the beans. I added a half cup of maple syrup,a 1/4 cup cider vinegar, some ground mustard and a 1/2 cup barbeque sauce to this. Because I like my beans nice and brown, I also added 1/8 cup of blackstrap molasses. This sat on high in the crock pot until the beans were simmering, then I reduced the heat to low and let the beans cook overnight. Right now they are really brown and smell amazing.
This recipe makes a lot. It’s a good thing as we like bean soup around here.
On this Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to remember not just our fallen military members but all of the men and woman who give their lives for a cause. I have been touched and led by heroes in the movement to lead us to a more sane and sustainable life. Carla Emery was one of the first for me. I cried the day I found out she had died.
May 31, 2010 at 10:07 am
I love to cook beans in a crockpot too. Very easy with a variety of condiments to add flavor. Just put a corned beef into my crockpot this morning. Got it on sale around St. Patrick’s Day and tossed it in the freezer! This is not the usual grilling for Memorial Day, but we plan to take the dog for a run in the country and when we get back to the city, our meal will be waiting for us.
Glad you mentioned remembering all who died for a cause on this date. Many heroes in addition to those in the military have added lustre to our heritage.
May 31, 2010 at 12:25 pm
We have accumulated close to 100 pounds of Pinto Beans and an additional 100 pounds of various types of Rice. We hope to continue this practice for as long as we can. And yes, we are also accumulating other varieties of food stuff.
But while realizing that this is more a self preservation type blog, I do want to honor those I love and thank them publically for their service and sacrifice for our country.
While personally, I have never been in the military, I did try to join the U.S. Navy when I was 17 years old. I wanted to and get on a submarine assignment, and I also wanted the U.S. Navy electronics training – the best in the world, at the time. They wouldn’t have me, though, because of something called “Soul Survivorship.” Oddly, fate had other plans for me, though.
First, I don’t currently have any family members directly in harms way, but my bragging moment and pride of my life…
My wife served in the U.S. Marines during the Viet Nam war (State Side) in the 1960s. Then, in the joined the U.S. Army in the late 1980s, and participated directly in the Persian Gulf War. In my eyes, my wife is a true American hero!
My daughter and three sons served in the U.S. military, as well and, in my mind, are also heros.
Anna was in the U.S. Army, state side – honorably discharged.
Andrew was in the U.S. Army (one tour in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq) in the Special Forces – honorably discharged.
Timothy is currently an officer in the U.S. Navy – in his eighth year of active duty, somewhere on a ship, current location unknown.
David is also in his eighth year in the U.S. Army; one tour in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq, two stints in N. Korea, also still serving, but currently state side.
As a military family, we have been blessed – no injuries, all safe – so far.
I give thanks to my family for their service, at every opportunity that presents itself. They are the true heroes in my life.
Even though I have to work today (Memorial day) I will make it a point to thank all who I meet and work with, for their service to our country.
And so, I want to say “Thank you” to all of you who have served in the U.S. armed forces and have sacrificed their time, wealth and for many, their lives keeping us safe.
It is those of you who have sacrificed so much, that I give my allegiance! It is you, who I respect and give honor!!!
May 31, 2010 at 7:23 pm
never heard of vinegar in beans! I’ll have to try that. My husband requested hamburger and baked BEANS for supper tonight, he said it’s a Memorial Day tradition to him. Hmmm, been married 12 years and I didn’t have a clue! lol I didn’t try to grow beans for drying this year, but it’s on my list for next year. I tried in Vermont years ago and they molded during the drying proccess.
I think of my son who served in the Army (a “fancy” soldier, who was on duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), my dad who was in WW2 in France, my granddad who was in WW1 and on back to a relative who was at Bunker Hill…. all our soldiers are worthy of honor every day!