I grew up actively avoiding baked beans. They were almost always at any family get-together but I was an avid bean hater (which is funny given how much I love them now). While I still don't really eat baked beans, I love the idea behind them. Warm, smoky beans paired with salty bacon- it's hard to go wrong. This is why I love these smoky beans so much. I took the idea behind Laura's coconut bacon and used the flavor in these beans. Using smoked salt really brings the flavor together and this dish might just be my new favorite comfort bowl.
To be truthful, I ate the beans by themselves for lunch. No polenta, no grains: just beans. That's how good these are. However, there's a few ways you can use these beans to make a meal:
Grains: If you want a speedier meal, swap the polenta for precooked grains or easy-to-cook grains like quinoa or millet.
Vegetables: Serve these beans with grilled or roasted vegetables. A few ideas: roasted cauliflower, grilled zucchini, or even these garlicky greens.
Chili: On my list to make this winter is a chili with these flavors. Try adding a bit more of a tomato base and throw in some bulgur to bulk it up.
These particular beans are grown a stones-throw away from where I live. I love buying and using heirloom beans. The color is always a bit better and the flavor is pronounced (a good thing). One of my dislikes in cooking are mushy, flavorless beans. These particular beans hold their shape but grab all the flavors around them (which is why they are perfect for these smoky beans!) A few other ways you could use Jacob's Cattle Beans:
This sounds fabulous. I'm always on the hunt for vegetarian meals (for my husband) that have a rustic comfort food feel (for me). In place of the scallions, do you think I could use ramps? They aren't going to be plentiful up here until the spring but I'm always looking for new ways to use them.
You might be able to- I've not cooked much with ramps but it's worth a shot!
Wow! This looks amazing! I can't wait to try it, but I see you have smoked paprika in the pantry list, but smoked salt in the recipe. I have the paprika, it not the salt...are they interchangeable?
Thanks for your wonderful recipes. I make them over and over, and share them with friends who might enjoy them!
Ah, the recipe has both in it! You could get away with just the paprika but the smoked salt really adds quite a bit!
You were not kidding, the beans are delicious. I was taken aback by how good they were. I didn't have the salt, but I added a little balsamic vinegar and was pleased with the result.
Fantastic comfort food. I served with the polenta and garlicy greens. I didn't have any paprika or smoked salt but did happen to have a bit of liquid smoke which I used in place which worked really well.
Made this for dinner tonight, and it was a hit - not always easy to get my husband to like my new recipes, so that is a compliment to you. It was my first time using Jacob's Cattle Beans, which are quite nice. I ended up doubling the amount of beans so the meal would have more protein. Also added a sprinkle of feta cheese (it was plenty tasty with out it), and would now always definitely always use balsamic vinegar. Thanks for an easy to make keeper recipe.
So easy and so good!
Delicious, as always! Added some cayenne for heat as well as kale and carrots to make it a complete meal. Used dried kidney beans for great flavor and texture.
these beans are amazing?! i’m going to use them in everything now. thank you!