Three Bean Bake Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
🥘 Recipe Category: Black Beans
🔍 Keywords: Beans, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Description:
Indulge in the wholesome flavors of this Three Bean Bake, a savory delight that’s perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or as a hearty side dish to accompany your favorite main courses. With a tantalizing blend of beans, bacon, and aromatic spices, this dish is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Let’s dive into the culinary adventure and uncover the secrets of this delectable creation!
Ingredients:
- 5 slices of bacon
- 1 onion
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup dark molasses
- 1/3 cup water (plus extra as needed)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hot pepper sauce (optional, for extra kick)
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your Three Bean Bake will cook to perfection and be ready to tantalize your taste buds.
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Cook Bacon: In a heavy, large ovenproof pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until it turns irresistibly crisp and golden brown. Once done, transfer the crispy bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside, ready to be added to the bean mixture later.
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Saute Onion: Utilizing the flavorful drippings left in the pot, sauté the chopped onion until it becomes soft and translucent, releasing its enticing aroma into the air. This step typically takes about 5 minutes, allowing the onion to caramelize slightly and develop its natural sweetness.
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Add Spices: Introduce the dry mustard and dried thyme to the sautéed onions, stirring them into the fragrant mixture for approximately 1 minute. This enhances the depth of flavor and infuses the dish with savory notes that will elevate every mouthful.
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Create Flavor Base: Incorporate the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, dark molasses, 1/3 cup of water, and the bay leaf into the pot, combining them with the onion and spice mixture to create a rich, flavorful base for the beans to soak up.
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Combine Beans: Add the drained and rinsed red kidney beans, black beans, and cannellini beans to the pot, gently folding them into the luscious sauce until they are thoroughly coated and ready to absorb the delicious flavors.
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Season and Bake: Season the bean mixture with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring that every bite is perfectly seasoned to your liking. Cover the pot and transfer it to the preheated oven, allowing the beans to bake for 45 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally and add more water if the mixture begins to appear dry, ensuring that it remains moist and succulent throughout the cooking process.
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Incorporate Bacon: After 45 minutes of baking, remove the pot from the oven and gently fold the crumbled bacon pieces into the tender bean mixture, infusing it with smoky, savory goodness that will tantalize your taste buds.
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Final Bake: Return the pot to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the beans to achieve the perfect texture. This final step ensures that every spoonful is bursting with irresistible flavors and hearty goodness.
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Finishing Touch: Once fully baked, discard the bay leaf and, if desired, add a drizzle of hot pepper sauce to impart a fiery kick that will awaken your senses and add an extra dimension of flavor to the dish.
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Serve and Enjoy: With the tantalizing aroma wafting through your kitchen, it’s time to dish up this mouthwatering Three Bean Bake and savor every spoonful of its irresistible goodness. Serve it as a satisfying main course or as a delectable side dish alongside your favorite proteins.
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Share the Love: Gather your loved ones around the table and share this delightful creation with them, spreading joy and culinary bliss with each and every bite. Whether enjoyed on a cozy weeknight or as part of a festive gathering, this Three Bean Bake is sure to steal the spotlight and become a beloved favorite in your household.
Indulge in the wholesome goodness of this Three Bean Bake, where tender beans, savory bacon, and aromatic spices come together to create a dish that’s as comforting as it is delicious. With its simple preparation and irresistible flavors, this recipe is destined to become a cherished favorite that you’ll return to again and again. Enjoy the culinary journey and savor the satisfaction of every bite!
