I had a great conversation with an friend yesterday. In an effort to reduce the grocery bill, she was looking for some good bean recipes.
I have to admit something here folks. I don’t really like beans all that much. On chili day at school I would eat out every piece of meat and tomato broth and leave the beans, all of them.
I have been working on this flaw in my character, however, and am really trying to learn to appreciate the finer qualities of the legumes.
My mother-in-law had given me a recipe for baked beans in the crock pot that I finally summoned the courage to try. We actually liked them! Even my picky eater had seconds!
And yes, I will admit to feeling quite “Thrifty” as I served them.
Crock Pot Baked Beans
Clean and soak overnight: 4 cups of dried beans (navy or great northern).
In the morning drain and put into the crock pot. Add 8 cups of cold water (I used some ham broth in place of some of the water), 1/3 cup of molasses, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp. dried mustard, 1 cup ketchup, 1 large onion chopped, and 2 tsp. salt.
Turn the crock pot to high until the beans are bubbly, then reduce to low setting and cook for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender.
You can add ham, bacon or ground beef. I threw in a ham hock from our last butchering that had been in the freezer. The meat just fell off the bones by supper time.
Not only did all of my family like it, but the recipe made enough for two meals. I have one sitting in the freezer right now and for me, a meal in the freezer is like money in the bank!