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Eating for Pennies: Homemade Sweet (or spicy) Pork and Beans

Any cut of pork or bacon will work. We like Sausage

 Making pork and beans from scratch involves preparing both the pork and the beans separately before combining them. Here's a basic recipe for homemade pork and beans:


Ingredients:


For the Beans:

1 pound (about 2 cups) dried navy beans or pinto beans

Water for soaking and cooking

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste


For the Pork:

1 pound pork shoulder or bacon, diced

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup molasses or brown sugar

2 tablespoons mustard

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:


Soak the Beans:

Rinse the dried beans and remove any debris.

Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl with enough water to cover them. Alternatively, you can use the quick soak method by boiling the beans for 2 minutes, then letting them soak for 1 hour.


Cook the Beans:

Drain and rinse the soaked beans.

In a large pot, combine the beans with fresh water, chopped onion, minced garlic, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cook until the beans are tender, which can take 1 to 2 hours depending on the type of beans. Remove the bay leaf.


Prepare the Pork:

In a separate pan, cook the diced pork or bacon over medium heat until it's browned and cooked through.

Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the vegetables are softened.

Combine Pork and Beans:

Add the cooked pork mixture to the pot of cooked beans


Make the Sauce:

In a bowl, mix together ketchup, molasses or brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder (if using). Adjust the sweetness and seasoning according to your taste.

Pour the sauce over the beans and pork, stirring to combine.

Simmer the pork and beans together for an additional 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, pepper, or any other preferred seasonings.



Serve the pork and beans hot, either as a main dish or a side dish.

Feel free to customize this recipe based on your preferences. You can add other ingredients like diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or hot sauce for extra flavor. Enjoy your homemade pork and beans!