Baked Beans an Old Time Favorite Traditional Saturday Night Meal in Cape Breton

Home Made Baked Kidney Beans

Rolls hot from the oven

 

Nothing brings back memories of home quicker that a pot of home made baked beans. I always looked forward to the weekend knowing that the Saturday evening meal would be baked beans. The beans were always made in our house with the red kidney beans and bean pork and there was always a tray of baked rolls hot from the oven or sometimes home made bread  with the butter dish on the table to make the meal complete.

Cape Breton Style Homemade Baked Beans

 1 lb of dried kidney beans, but you can also use white beans.
 Place dried beans in a large bowl & cover with cold water. Allow to soak overnight in refrigerator.
After soaking, drain off remaining liquid.
Place beans in a large pot & cover with more cold water to cover them (about an inch above the beans).
Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about an hour.
When beans are tender add the following to the mix.

1/2 c. molasses

1/2 c. chopped onion

1/4 c.  dark brown sugar 

1/4 c. ketchup

1 tbsp. mustard

1 tsp. salt

Piece of bean pork  or a few strips of bacon

Mix it all in well with the beans, do not drain liquid.

Pour all of this into an oven-safe casserole dish, or bean crock, cover with lid.

Bake in 300 degree oven for about 5-7 hours. Check at about the halfway point to see if you need to add more liquid.