Smoky Maple Barbecue Beans

My recipe for maple-infused barbecue beans makes a great side dish, and can be made in lickety-split time... or slow-simmered.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• ONE

• 1⁄4 lb smoked bacon, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped Spanish onion
• 1⁄4 cup  diced green bell pepper
• 1  fresh garlic clove, mashed

• TWO

• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1⁄4 cup  smoky barbecue sauce
• 1⁄4 cup  pure grade a maple syrup
• 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1  tablespoon molasses
• 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1  teaspoon onion powder
• 1  teaspoon  smoked paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  ground  celery salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1  pinch ground cloves

• THREE

• 1 (30 ounce) can white beans

Directions

1. PREP vegetables to specifications (FOOD PROCESSOR METHOD -- divide the onion and bell pepper into sections, remove ribs and seeds from bell pepper; drop onion and pepper through feeder tube into food processor while running, until vegetables are coarsely chopped); PLACE a heavy 2 1/2 quart skillet (with an accompanying lid) over medium heat; SAUTE bacon, onion and peppers for 5 minutes, stirring as needed, until vegetables have softened; MASH the garlic in a garlic press and add, cooking for 30 seconds longer.
2. STIR in the tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, maple syrup, cider vinegar, molasses and Worcestershire sauce; MIX in all of the dry seasonings (at this point you can add beans and transfer mixture to a crock pot if using the slow-simmer method, using the LOW heat setting; stir in the remaining ingredients then cover, simmering for at least 3 hours); PROCEED to the following step for the stovetop method.
3. BRING to a gentle boil, stirring constantly; ADD the beans and stir well; REDUCE heat between low and medium-low (no higher than 2 1/2 to prevent scorching); COVER and simmer for at least 30 minutes (NOTE: If you're not in such a hurry and using the stovetop slow-simmer method, you can reduce heat to low and simmer for a few hours, refreshing consistency with water if needed); SERVE and enjoy!