Beans for the Captains

Good Morning! It's one last time to boil sap! The barrels are overflowing and we're getting busy down at the boat. With all this great syrup that we harvested it's only fitting to share a maple syrup recipe. This is one of Captain Barry's (and Captain-in-training, Sawyer's) favorite! Enjoy!

Mary's Baked Beans

2 cups dried navy beans, soak overnight in water
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 T cider vinegar
Tobasco hot sauce, optional, to taste, (Captain's favorite part, "the hotter the better!")
salt & pepper to taste

Drain navy beans and mix with garlic and onions in a large soup pot. Cover with water with an inch above mixture. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours until soft. Add water to the pot as needed to maintain the inch above mixture level while cooking.

When beans are soft, drain and stir in barbecue sauce, mustard, maple syrup and vinegar. Add hot sauce salt and pepper to your liking. To bake the beans, transfer to a bean pot or baking dish and bake, uncovered at 350 for approximately 30 minutes, stirring often. Pieces of leftover breakfast bacon can be added for additional flavor. Serves 6

Aboard Mary Day this is served with a ham dinner. Ashore, both Captains prefer a good ole' hot dog with their baked beans. Even better, enjoying them alongside a campfire... Enjoy!
Be well, do good, have a great day!

Comments

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui

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Oh Captain, Oh Captain, Please Don't Rumba!

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