Barn home lifestyle is all about ease. Whether it’s to make a work week a bit easier or to allow for more quality time on a holiday weekend, we’ve got it covered. After all, there’s no place like home – particularly if you live in a Yankee Barn. Who needs to fight traffic and long lines when you’ve got a beautiful home? Remove the stress and let the barn home lifestyle rule the day (in this case, Labor Day).
A large part of stress removal involves easy foods. Ones which may be made ahead of time, then served hot or cold whenever family and friends are hungry. What better recipe for a company named Yankee Barn Homes to supply than a good, old fashioned New England Yankee recipe: Baked Beans. And, not just any baked bean recipe, this recipe has been handed down in my Yankee family for at least four generations. Family lore is this recipe actually comes from the famed Durgin Park restaurant in Boston, MA, known world-wide for it’s stellar baked beans. I think there could be some truth to this, as I’ve made these beans many times and they are by far The Best Baked Beans I’ve ever had! Here’s our closely held secret – this recipe is easy, easy, easy! 10 minutes to put together, then several hours in a low heat oven and done!
Durgin Park Boston Baked Beans
Ingredients
1 pkg navy beans
6 cups water
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 onion – chopped
1/3 c. molasses
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/4 lb salt pork (or bacon – less than 1/4 lb)
Directions
In a large bowl, soak beans overnight in the water. Place beans with soaking water in a large pan; add baking soda and boil 10 mins. (Watch the pot, beans will froth even with the soda, so turn down the heat and stir while boiling) Drain beans and save the water. Place beans then all ingredients in a bean pot (or 2 qt casserole dish with lid) with half the saved liquid. Save the remaining liquid to add later. Cover pot. Bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours. Add remaining liquid and bake for 1-1/2 to 2 hours more. Remove cover for last 1/2 hr. Enjoy hot or cold!
