BAKED BEANS

Our DIY BBQ sauce and Maple balsamic are natural matches for baked beans. A cozy lunch or dinner with a side salad, crusty bread and drizzles of EVOO. YUM!

INGREDIENTS:
8 strips of bacon, cut in 1-inch pieces (optional)
3-540ml cans navy, cannellini beans or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp EVOO
1 cup DIY Basic BBQ sauce
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp Garlic EVOO or 2 cloves, minced
1/4 cup Maple dark balsamic
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp paprika (for spicier beans use Smoked paprika)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic if using, and cook for another minute. Add all remaining ingredients excluding beans and stir to combine. Add beans and stir gently to coat with the sauce mixture. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the beans are hot and bubbly. Remove from the oven and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve as a side, or as a main with crusty bread, focaccia or salad.