Cowboy Beans

From my heros at America's Test Kitchen (Cooks Illustrated Summer 2008). I'm always looking for dried bean recipies; even though it takes pre-planning at least the night before making the dish, the beans have more flavor and nutrition than the processed beans from the can. There are directions included in case your beans were not soaked the night before. Cook time does not include overnight soak and has assumed that the quick soak method was used. Adjust the heat, smoke, or salt by stirring in more hot sauce or barbecue sauce at serving time.

• Ready In: 5 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  lb dried pinto beans or 1  lb dried navy beans, washed and picked clean of any debris
• 4  slices bacon, chopped fine (about 4 ounces)
• 1  medium onion, chopped fine
• 4  medium garlic cloves, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
• 4 1⁄2 cups water
• 1  cup strong black coffee
• 1⁄3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2  tablespoons prepared brown mustard (such as Gulden's)
• 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce, plus
• 2  tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  hot sauce
• 2  teaspoons salt
•  ground black pepper

Directions

1. Soak beans overnight -OR- place beans and 6 cups water in large Dutch oven. Bring to boil over high heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, cover and allow beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain beans. Clean and dry pot.
2. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300°F Add bacon to pot and cook over medium heat until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in onion and cook until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add brown sugar, mustard, 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Return to boil over high heat, cover pot, and transfer to oven.
3. Cook until beans are just tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Remove lid and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has thickened to syrupy consistency, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from oven, stir in remaining 2 tablespoons barbecue sacue, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Beans can be refrigerated in airtight container for several days.