OLD-FASHIONED BAKED BEANS WITH SMOKED BACON

Old-Fashioned Baked Beans with Smoked Bacon image

Yield serves 6 as a side dish

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup sorghum (see page 205)
3 tablespoons dry mustard
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
Kosher salt
1 cup dark beer
2 quarts cooked white beans, drained, cooking liquid reserved
6 thick slices smoked bacon

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
In a medium bowl, combine the tomato paste, sorghum, dry mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Slowly stir in the beer. Add the beans plus enough of their reserved cooking liquid to create a slightly soupy texture. Combine, and taste for salt, adding a bit more if necessary. Reserve the remaining bean cooking liquid. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish and top with the bacon. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the bacon is golden brown and the beans are very hot, checking several times and adding a little more liquid or water if necessary so that the beans don't dry out; they should remain a bit saucy.