Easy BBQ Beans

A lot of recipes for this classic start with uncooked beans of various kinds. I ask – why? What’s wrong with some tins of baked beans – no soaking, boiling, cooling or any of that nonsense. For the record my favourite are Branston but choose whichever ones you like (I find supermarket own brand can be a bit too runny). This recipe uses CUPS as measurements to help keep the proportions easy and create less washing up).

Ingredients

• 2 packs of Bacon (cooking bacon is fine but you need around 500g)
• 1 Large Onion
• 1 Large Green Pepper
• 4 Cloves of Garlic
• 2 cups of Chicken Stock
• 3 cups of Water
• 1½ cups of tomato ketchup (own brand is fine)
• ⅔ cup of Brown Sugar (dark is preferable)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon of Vegetable Oil
• 1 Teaspoon of Liquid Smoke (optional)
• 2 Tablespoons of Jack Daniels #7 Bourbon (optional)

Ingredients for Spice Mixture

• 1 teaspoon of English Mustard Powder
• ½ teaspoon of Celery Salt
• 4 teaspoons of Paprika
• 2 teaspoons of Ground Black Pepper
• 2 teaspoons of Garlic Powder
• 2 teaspoons of Mild Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon of White Pepper
• 1 teaspoon of Onion Powder

Preperation

• Mix all of the spice mixture ingredients really well in a bowl.
• Chop the onion finely.
• Mince or crush the garlic gloves.
• Dice the green pepper.
• Make your chicken stock.

Method

1. Over a medium high heat cook the bacon in a large pot until the bacon is crispy.
2. Remove the bacon and put it on some kitchen roll on a plate. Don’t get rid of the oil and fat in the pan!
3. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pot and cook the onion until it starts to go brown.
4. Add the minced/crushed garlic and the green pepper and cook for about a minute until you can really smell the pepper and garlic.
5. At this point (if you are feeling brave!) add 2 tablespoons of Jack Daniels bourbon which isn’t essential but does give the beans a hefty smoky taste.
6. Add the four tins of baked beans.
7. Add the chicken stock.
8. Add the water.
9. Add the liquid smoke if you are using it.
10. Cut the cooled bacon into chunks or strips (whichever you prefer).
11. Stir everything together and add the cooked bacon.
12. Bring the pot to the boil and then simmer for about an hour over a low heat (if it looks like it’s drying out just add some more water). Don’t stir too often or you’ll smash the beans but stir often enough to stop them sticking to the pan.
13. Add the spice mixture to the pot and give it a really good stir making sure the mixture is distributed evenly through the beans.
14. Cover the pot and put it in the oven at 150 degrees (C) for about 20 minutes.
15. Give it all a good final stir and test for seasoning (you may want to add a little salt).

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