Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 2 hours | Servings: 6

Introduction

Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines tender ribs with flavorful beans and a tangy sauce. This recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.

History

This recipe for Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake has been passed down through generations in many families. It is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for cold winter nights or summer barbecues. The combination of tender ribs, savory beans, and a flavorful sauce makes this dish a favorite among many home cooks.

Ingredients

3.5 lb (1.59 kg) pork country style ribs
15 oz (425 g) canned tomato sauce
1 oz (28 g) onion soup mix
0.33 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp prepared mustard
0.13 tsp hot pepper sauce
3 cup cooked small white beans (2 16 oz (454 g) cans)
3 cup cooked kidney beans (2 16 oz (454 g) cans)
1.5 cup celery
1 sweet red or green bell pepper

How to prepare

Place the ribs in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and add 0.25 cup of water.
Cover the dish tightly and cook in a moderate oven at 350°F (177°C) for 1.25 hours. Then, remove the ribs and place them on absorbent paper. Pour off the cooking liquid and set it aside.
In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, onion soup mix, brown sugar, prepared mustard, and hot pepper sauce. Cook the mixture slowly for 10 minutes.
Remove any excess fat from the cooking liquid and add enough water to make 1 cup. Stir this into the sauce mixture.
Combine small white and red kidney beans, celery, pepper strips, and all but 0.5 cup of the sauce.
Place the bean mixture into the baking dish and arrange the ribs on top. Brush them with the remaining sauce.
Cover the dish tightly and cook in a moderate oven at 350°F (177°C) for 30 to 45 minutes. Then, remove the dish from the oven and transfer the ribs to a warm platter.
Chef's tip: Country style ribs can also be braised in a Dutch oven on the stovetop for 45 to 60 minutes.

Variations

You can use different types of beans, such as black beans or pinto beans, in place of the white and kidney beans.
For a smokier flavor, you can add a few strips of cooked bacon to the bean mixture.
You can also add diced tomatoes, corn, or jalapenos to the bean mixture for extra flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cover the baking dish tightly while cooking the ribs to ensure they stay moist and tender.

- For extra flavor, you can marinate the ribs in the sauce mixture for a few hours before cooking.

- If you prefer a spicier dish, you can add more hot pepper sauce to the sauce mixture.

- Be sure to remove any excess fat from the cooking liquid before adding it to the sauce mixture.

Serving Suggestions

Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake can be served with a side of cornbread, coleslaw, or a green salad. It pairs well with a glass of red wine or a cold beer.

Cooking Techniques

This recipe uses a combination of baking and braising techniques to ensure that the ribs are tender and flavorful. The ribs are first baked in the oven to cook them through, and then they are braised in the sauce mixture to infuse them with flavor.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have onion soup mix, you can use a combination of dried onion flakes, garlic powder, and salt.

- If you don't have prepared mustard, you can use Dijon mustard or yellow mustard.

- If you don't have hot pepper sauce, you can use cayenne pepper or chili powder.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the bean mixture and sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook the ribs. This can help save time on busy weeknights.

Presentation Ideas

To make this dish look more appealing, you can garnish it with chopped parsley or green onions before serving. You can also serve it in individual ramekins for a more elegant presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. It also pairs well with a glass of red wine or a cold beer.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake contains approximately 400 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake contains approximately 15 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake contains approximately 30 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake is a good source of vitamin C, iron, and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains soy (from the prepared mustard) and may contain gluten (from the onion soup mix). Please check the labels of your ingredients if you have allergies.

Summary

Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. This recipe combines tender ribs with flavorful beans and a tangy sauce for a comforting and hearty meal.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the excitement that washed over me when I first saw this recipe for Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake. It was a crisp autumn day, the leaves turning brilliant shades of red and gold, and I had just returned from a visit to the local farmers market. As I unpacked my bags, I came across a small, weathered notebook tucked away in the bottom of one of the bags.

Curious, I opened it up and saw the recipe written in faded ink on the yellowed pages. It was a recipe that seemed to speak to my soul - a comforting, hearty dish that would warm me from the inside out. I knew I had to make it.

As I read through the recipe, I could almost smell the rich aromas of the slow-cooked ribs and beans mingling together in a savory sauce. The instructions were simple, yet I could tell that this dish was one that required patience and attention to detail.

I decided to make the dish that very evening, eager to taste the flavors that had captured my imagination. I gathered the ingredients - tender pork ribs, hearty cannellini beans, fragrant garlic and onions, tangy tomato paste, and a blend of herbs and spices that promised to elevate the dish to new heights.

As I browned the ribs in a hot skillet, the sizzle of the meat filling the kitchen with a mouthwatering scent, I couldn't help but think back to all the meals I had cooked over the years. I had learned to cook from my own mother, a woman who could turn the simplest ingredients into a feast fit for a king. She had taught me to cook with love and passion, to appreciate the flavors and textures of each ingredient, and to never be afraid to experiment and try new things.

I added the beans and vegetables to the skillet, stirring them gently to coat them in the rich flavors of the cooking meat. The steam rising from the pan carried the scents of garlic, onions, and spices, and I felt a sense of contentment settle over me. This was where I belonged - in my kitchen, creating delicious meals for my loved ones to enjoy.

As the dish simmered on the stove, the flavors melding together in a symphony of taste and aroma, I thought about all the recipes I had collected over the years. Some had come from cookbooks, others from friends and family members, and still others from chance encounters with strangers who had shared their culinary secrets with me.

Each recipe held a special place in my heart, a memory of a moment in time when I had learned something new and exciting about the world of food. And now, as I stood over the bubbling pot of ribs and beans, I knew that this recipe would join the ranks of my favorites, a dish that I would make again and again for years to come.

Finally, after hours of simmering, the dish was ready. I plated up the ribs and beans, the sauce glistening on the tender meat and the beans cooked to perfection. I took a bite, savoring the flavors that exploded on my tongue - rich, savory, and oh so satisfying.

As I sat down to eat, I thought about the journey that had brought me to this moment - the chance discovery of a recipe in a farmers market bag, the hours spent preparing and cooking the dish, and the joy of sharing it with my loved ones. And I knew that this was why I loved to cook - not just for the flavors and textures, but for the memories and moments that each dish brought with it.

And so, as I finished my meal, I made a promise to myself - to continue learning, experimenting, and creating in the kitchen, to never lose that sense of excitement and wonder that had brought me to this recipe for Hearty Ribs and Bean Bake. And to always cook with love, for that was the secret ingredient that made every dish truly special.