Marie Cookpad

   One thing I really missed when I first moved over to the UK was Baked Beans.  Beans that tasted like my mom's always did, and indeed like mine did through the years.  The dry beans were hard to come by, as was Molasses and to this day, Salt Pork does not exist here.  This  recipe is my nod to my mom's original Boston Baked Beans, and all the Baked Beans of my ancestors, albeit a bit easier to throw together. They use cooked tinned Haricot Beans (navy beans) and streaky bacon.  I like to use the dry cure bacon, and nitrate free if I can find it.  We love bacon, but its not very good for you, fat aside  . . .  its the chemicals.  Not good for you at all, that's why I use nitrate free if I can find it.   Back home, once upon a time we had a butcher who made his own home smoked bacon and it was truly heavenly.  His butcher shop always had the wonderful smell of his home smoked bacon.  I wish I could make some way for y...

  Some days are just busy.  The last few days this week I have been busier then a "Hen hauling wood" as my old friend Leona would say!  Writing articles, doing laundry, appointments, etc. They say there is no rest for the wicked!  I must have been rather naughty lately I guess!    Just because you are busy and don't have a lot of time that doesn't mean you can't get something tasty on the supper table!  These Maple Baked Beans on Toast are the perfect light supper entree for when you have a bit more on your plate to handle than normal.    With a little bit of pre-prep, they basically cook themselves!  Its amazing what you can do with a few store cupboard ingredients!   This tasty recipe uses things I generally have in my larder at all times . . .  tinned cannellini beans, a good bottled tomato passata . . .     Maple syrup, a good balsamic vinegar.  Today I used a Maple Balsamic from ilGusto , but you could ...