I am so excited to have the opportunity to review this really cool cookbook, Vegan Beans from Around the World, by Kelsey Kinser. I would really like to incorporate more beans into my family’s diet anyway, so I figured taking a peek at this book would give me yet another reason to cook with beans.
Not that I need another reason… beans are inexpensive and so nutritious, packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein!
Vegan Beans from Around the World is a collection of 75 bean recipes, plus lots of useful information such as techniques for prepping beans, pros and cons of canned beans vs dried beans, information on different types of beans, and more.
And while the recipes are all vegan, you don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy the great flavorful dishes in this book.
Some of the recipes that are right at the front of the line for us to try are the Green Bean Curry, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Canadian Split Pea Soup, Greek Lentil Salad, and Japanese Red Bean Ice Cream.
There are so many delicious-looking recipes in the book, it was hard to figure out where to start, but in the end, I decided that the very first recipe would be a classic summer picnic recipe, Boston Baked Beans.
Usually I just buy baked beans in a can and heat them up to go with our burgers and dogs, but I can tell you that this homemade baked bean recipe has changed that! It is so delicious and flavorful, and the beans maintain a nice texture that is better than baked beans that have been sitting in a can for a while.
And the liquid smoke (secret ingredient!) adds just the right amount of smokey, salty flavor. It is perfect in this recipe, and I can tell you I will be using it in future recipes as well as a flavor stand-in for ham or bacon!
Boston Baked Beans
Print RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups navy beans (soak them in water overnight and then rinse thoroughly)
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 3/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
Instructions
- Place the beans in a pot over medium-high heat and cover them with about an inch of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
- Combine the molasses, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke in a pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Drain the beans and place in a casserole dish with the onion. Pour the molasses mixture over the beans and then add water so that the beans are just covered with liquid.
- Cover the casserole dish and bake about 3 - 3 1/2 hours, checking periodically to make sure the beans aren't drying out.
- If the liquid isn't quite thick enough, remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes
Notes
Nutrition
The general consensus from the family was that this dish was delish! (Although I must confess that Thing 2 was not completely on board. However, we can’t take his word for it in this case, because he has a texture issue with beans. Someday when he gets over that, he is going to love this recipe! 🙂 ) If you are interested, you can pick up a copy of this book from Amazon or from many other booksellers!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the cookbook to review. However, all opinions expressed in this review are mine.
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Jean Elliott
Thank you for this recipe. These are my favorite baked beans. I have a recipe for authentic colonial Boston baked beans with pork and these rival those. Easy to make as well.
Kristin
So glad to hear that you enjoyed them! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Jean!
Lisa
Love these beans! I’m a vegetarian, but my father is not. We both love baked bean. He actually asked me if I had put pork in them! Thank you for sharing this recipe. It’s a definite keeper.
Kristin King
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Theresa @DearCreatives
Looks so yummy! Pinned & shared. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight Party. Hope to see you again soon.
Kimberly
I’m loving this! Pinned and tweeted! I always love your creations, thanks for sharing this with us at our party! I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm, we love seeing what you have been working on! Lou Lou Girls
Karly
I need to add these to the menu this week, so delicious! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Sarena @ Teal Inspiration
This recipe looks delicious! Pinned! Thanks for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty and I hope you’ll join in again next week!
Brian
We do a similar version of boston baked beans and they always go down a treat. This book sounds really good – Vegan Beans from Around the World, even though we are not Vegan a bean side dish is always yummuy!
Audrey
I need to check out the book. This recipe looks delicious, but I could definitely use to read up on how best to prepare beans.
Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays link up. Hope to see you back next week.
Gail Akeman
Thank you for joining the Small victories Sunday Linkup. Please join again. Pinned to the group board.
Lata
I almost ate this picture. Looks so yummmy…
Renee's Kitchen Adventures
I’m like you…open a can and go. Have to give this a try!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs
Oh yum! Your version of baked beans looks absolutely delicious! And I really like how it’s healthier than most versions too. Thanks for sharing – I’ll be trying this soon!
I hope you have a nice day 🙂
Sandra - The Foodie Affair
Great recipe and simple and I have all the ingredients! I think I’ll add this to our Fourth of July BBQ! Thanks!
Joanne/WineLadyCooks
This is a great recipe. I usually just make mine a little on the sweet side but I love all the ingredients in this recipe. Will definitely give it a try. Pinned/shared.
shelby
I’ll bet you could crockpot these also. Its SO hot here right now that turning the oven on just isn’t something I would do, but my mom tells me baked beans do awesome in the crockpot! The flavors sound yummy and I’ve not ever put soy sauce in baked beans before, but I’d be game to give it a shot!
Emily
I love baked beans!! yummy!!! Pinned
Jersey Girl Cooks
These look so good and I am sure they are better than the ones you get in a can. Yum! Perfect for a summer BBQ.
Liz @ Infuse With Liz
This recipe looks doable! I always buy the beans that are already prepared but I add more ingredients to make them my own. I’ve always wanted to try a homemade recipe. I’ll have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing.
Platter Talk
I can tell these beans are the real deal! Wowsa, would I love me a plate of these, now or anytime!!