Boston Baked Beans

scottishminnie

Hi

I'm hosting dinner on Friday evening and at the request of the guests it is an American theme. It's all under control with one exception.....

I had planned to make Boston Baked Beans using this Delia recipe however I can't find dried Haricot beans anywhere.
I tried Mr T, Mr A, Mr M and Mr S and even the health food shop after the assistant in Mr T said they were probably only stocked in those "hippy food shops".

Is there anyway of rinsing and draining them to use in the recipe or will it just be a complete failure?
I won't be anywhere else between now and Friday that I can try for the dried ones.

Thanks

krlyr

This BBC recipe uses tinned beans, so looks like it could be possible
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/easy_boston_baked_beans_26627

Seakay

I think that the tinned version above will be absolutely fine for your party.

I get dried beans from ethnic grocers.

I found this quote in an amusing article about making cassoulet when I was searching to see if I could find somewhere you could buy dried beans from:


"First, buy dried haricot beans. Cassoulet is basically pork and beans, and you must use the correct beans. You can tell whereabouts they should be in the local Tesco by the puzzled Frenchman standing there, talking into his mobile phone.
"Zey sell only butter beans, I think - is ok? No?"
No. So you get back in the car and go to Waitrose instead, and so does he."

FairyPrincessk

Tinned beans will absolutely be fine. In the U.S. the beans are sometimes called Navy beans, great northern beans (I believe this are slightly larger), or just white beans. Pinto beans can also be used in Boston baked beans, which may or may not be easier to find. HTH.

Grimbal

Seakay wrote: »

No. So you get back in the car and go to Waitrose instead, and so does he."

yup
http://www.waitrose.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductView-10317-10001-36232-Wholesome+organic+101+haricot+beans+(500g).html?storeId=10317#.Uqcj7_RdU7o

gayleygoo

I use dried cannelloni beans (or something with a similar spelling), which look like they should be similar to haricot beans, and I get them from Tesco. If using dried, don't add any treacle for the first few hours of cooking (if slow cooking) as the treacle prevents the beans from softening.

If using tinned beans, it's fine to go ahead and add it at the start. They won't need as much cooking time as dried beans.

scottishminnie

Thanks

I'm not keen on the bbc recipe so I think I'll rinse, drain and pick up the Delia recipe at the appropriate stage.

I did wonder about the cannelloni beans and I may have seen pinto beans on the hunt.

I guessed waitrose would have them however I'm not near one this week so that's not an option.

I'll keep you all posted. It's just a bit frustrating as I've made them several times whilst in the US and it never occurred to be that I wouldn't be able to track down the right type of beans here!