I use a lot of ranch style beans or chili beans in recipes. Seems like they wouldn't be too hard to make at home. Can someone help me out with a recipe? I could also use a good baked bean recipe. Thanks

-- Amanda in Mo (aseley@townsqr.com), December 31, 2000

Answers

Hi, Amanda, I have a really good recipe for baked beans. Soak 2 cups of navy beans overnight, then cook til done. Drain the beans, but save the cooking liquid. Fry one diced onion in a little oil. Put beans and onions in a casserole dish, and add 1/3 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup molasses, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 Tbls. dry mustard, and 2 teas. salt. Add enough of the reserved cooking liquid to barely cover the beans. Bake covered for 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours at 300 degrees, or til most of the liquid is absorbed. They really thicken up as they cool, so I usually figure them done while still a bit soupy. (I look forward to seeing a recipe for ranch style beans-something I'm not familiar with.)

-- Cathy in NY (hrnofplnty@yahoo.com), December 31, 2000.

When I was living in Texas we made ranch style beans on a regular basis. Unfortunately, I never used a cookbook or measurements so I will tell you what we used, and you can adjust it to your own tastes. Use a good dry bean that will hold together well, pintos or anasazis are good. Add chopped onion, garlic powder, chili powder and chopped jalapenos. Cover with water in your crock pot, and in a few hours, ranch style beans! Good or better than anything store bought. Don't be alarmed if you have to use a lot of chili powder to achieve the taste you want. It's more than most folks realize. Happy cooking!

-- Julie (rjbk@together.net), January 06, 2001.