About the Recipe
This comforting Dutch classic combines tender brown beans and crispy bacon with a unique twist – the traditional apple syrup is enhanced with tangy vinegar, creating a perfectly balanced sweet and savory dish that honors both tradition and innovation.
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Serves:
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Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 pound dried kidney beans
- 8.8 ounces bacon (8-10 slices)
- 1 large head of lettuce (for main)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon apple babcai vinegar
- 4.42 ounces apple syrup**
- Salt, to taste
**Apple Syrup Sauce:
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons apple juice (0.54 cups)
• ¼ teaspoon lemon juice
• ⅙ pod star anise (a small piece)
• A small pinch of ground cinnamon
• 1½ teaspoons sugar
** Apple Syrup - In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice, lemon juice, star anise, ground cinnamon, and sugar. Heat mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Stir and reduce by half. Remove the piece of star anise.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the apple syrup sauce** and a tablespoon of apple babcai vinegar. Stir well and bring to a gentle bubble.
12-14 hours
4
Hard
Preparation
#### Instructions
1. Soak Beans:
- Soak the dried kidney beans overnight in plenty of cold water.
2. Cook Beans:
- Drain and rinse the beans. Place them in a large pot and cover with fresh water. Add a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 90 minutes, until the beans are tender. (Alternatively, use a pressure cooker: cook the beans for 7-10 minutes under pressure.)
3. Prepare Bacon:
- About 10 minutes before the beans are done, start cooking the bacon. Cut the bacon into pieces.
- Fry the bacon in a non-stick pan over medium heat until crispy. No need to add extra butter or oil.
4. Assemble:
- Once the beans are cooked, drain them.
- Divide the beans among the plates.
- Top with the crispy bacon and its rendered fat.
- Pour the warm syrup sauce over the beans.
6. Serve:
- Traditionally as a main dish served with lettuce or as a side dish.