๐ฝ๏ธ Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake ๐ฅ
Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake is a classic comfort food dish that’s perfect for family gatherings and potlucks. It’s a hearty casserole made with a combination of pork, beans, and a rich, flavorful sauce. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its history, components, preparation steps, and estimated preparation time.
๐ History:
Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake is not associated with any famous historical figure, but it’s the kind of timeless dish that has been passed down through generations. It likely originated as a way to make a filling and tasty meal using readily available ingredients. Many families have their own variations of this dish, each with a unique twist.
๐ฅ Components:
- 1 pound of pork (typically ground pork or diced bacon)
- 2 cans (about 30 ounces) of baked beans
- 1/2 cup of ketchup
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 cup of diced onions
- 1/4 cup of diced bell peppers
- 1 teaspoon of mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
๐ฉโ๐ณ Preparation Steps:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
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Cook the Pork: In a large skillet, cook the pork until it’s browned and no longer pink. If you’re using bacon, cook it until it’s crispy. Drain any excess fat.
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Prepare the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, diced onions, diced bell peppers, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
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Mix Everything Together: In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pork, baked beans, and the sauce mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
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Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the dish to thicken.
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Serve: Once it’s done baking, remove the foil and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, it’s ready to serve! You can garnish it with additional diced onions or shredded cheese if you like.
โฐ Estimated Preparation Time:
The total time needed to prepare Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake is approximately 1 hour, including both preparation and baking time.
๐ฝ๏ธ Enjoy your delicious Pork and Bean Bake, and feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients or spices to make it your own! ๐๐ฉโ๐ณ๐จโ๐ณ
๐ฝ๏ธ Nutrition Facts and Health Information for Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake ๐ฅ
Here’s some important nutritional information and health considerations for Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake:
๐น Serving Size: The nutritional values may vary based on your portion size, but the following information is based on an approximate serving size of one cup.
๐น Calories: The calorie content can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portions, but on average, a one-cup serving of Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake may contain around 250-300 calories.
๐น Protein: This dish is a good source of protein, with approximately 10-15 grams per serving. The pork and beans contribute to the protein content.
๐น Carbohydrates: It contains carbohydrates from the beans, sugar, and other ingredients. On average, you can expect about 30-40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
๐น Fiber: Baked beans are a good source of dietary fiber, providing around 5-7 grams per serving. Fiber is essential for digestive health.
๐น Fats: The dish can be moderately high in fat, especially if you use bacon. You might find approximately 10-15 grams of fat in a serving. The type of fat, whether it’s from bacon or lean ground pork, can affect the overall fat content.
๐น Sodium: Canned baked beans and processed ingredients like ketchup may contribute to the sodium content. A serving could have around 500-800 milligrams of sodium, which is a moderate amount.
๐น Sugar: Due to the addition of brown sugar and ketchup, Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake may contain approximately 10-15 grams of sugar per serving.
๐น Health Considerations:
- Protein: The protein in this dish can be beneficial for muscle health and overall satiety.
- Fiber: The dietary fiber from the beans can support digestive health and help maintain steady blood sugar levels.
- Sodium: Be mindful of the sodium content, as excessive sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure. You can reduce the sodium by using low-sodium baked beans and ketchup.
- Fats: The type of fat matters. Using lean pork or turkey bacon can make this dish healthier by reducing saturated fat content.
- Sugar: Be aware of the sugar content, especially if you have dietary restrictions related to sugar intake. You can reduce sugar by using less brown sugar or opting for a sugar substitute.
As with any dish, moderation is key, and you can make adjustments to the recipe to better align with your dietary preferences and requirements. Enjoy Aunt Sharon’s Pork and Bean Bake in a balanced and mindful way! ๐ฝ๏ธ๐ฅ๐จโ๐ณ๐ฉโ๐ณ
