I got really excited when I was given some Pipers Farm oak smoked streaky to try, as it had the most seductively smoky aroma, the first thing I thought was smoky beans. So I used one and a half slices, they were very thick, cut into lardons.
The lardons were fried off in a little olive oil until crispy, I used my pressure cooker with the lid off. The lardons were set aside, and I slowly fried a sliced large onion in the smoky fat until softened and caramelised. Added a clove of finely chopped garlic, a diced carrot and a diced stick of celery.
A couple of handfuls of pre soaked cannelini beans were then added along with the smoky crispy bacon. A jar of passata, a teaspoon of mustard powder, 2 tbsp molasses, a tsp of smoked paprika and a good grind of black pepper were all stirred in. I cooked mine in my pressure cooker for around 20 minutes at maximum pressure, or you could cook in a casserole dish for a few hours in the oven, until the beans are soft and the sauce thick.
Season and serve with something from the BBQ, I served mine with some wonderful sticky BBQ chicken wings from Pipers farm, and some homemade slaw. This just goes to show how you can take a small amount of a great product and make the absolute most of it, without spending a huge amount of money.
I also did a Spanish version with Butterbeans, Smoked Bacon and chorizo which made for a wonderful lunch on some toasted ciabatta with an olive oil fried duck egg on top.
Posted by jamieott on May 22, 2012 at 8:36 pm
This looks so so delicious, now I’m craving bacon!
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 25, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Thanks Jamie, Bacon makes everything taste good 🙂
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Choclette on May 8, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Have been meaning to make beans for an age – so much better than the tinned variety even without the bacon 😉 That egg on top looks perfect, eggs and beans for tea please.
Posted by Grazing Kate (@grazingkate) on May 8, 2012 at 4:40 pm
Delish. May I say that your photography is looking rather stunning? V. arty and food porn-ish!
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 8, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Why thank you Kate 🙂 Very kind of you to say. Have been really getting into my food prawn photography.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Simon Godfrey on May 8, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Chicken wings & bacon beans – looks wonderful. Will be trying that, with the beans cooked in a pot on the BBQ low & slow…
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 8, 2012 at 5:21 pm
That’ll be perfect and how I usually do them, sadly the weather was a bit extreme for even me to BBQ.
Let me know how you get on with yours please.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Michelle on May 6, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Words fail. That bacon looks just wonderful. And the egg, too.
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 7, 2012 at 12:16 am
Thank you so much. It was sooo smoky and tasty. Our ducks lay lovely eggs 🙂
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by chilliandchai on May 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Oh I love bacon & beans, especially like the molasses & smoked paprika in there. And what a fab idea to do in a pressure cooker. Must get one.
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 7, 2012 at 12:15 am
Thank you, they are a real comforting food. I love my new pressure cooker, it takes a fraction of the time.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 6, 2012 at 12:12 am
Thanks Mad Dog. You out on the town again? I think the Spanish one was pretty simialr to the Fabada I did a while ago, so didn’t repeat it. Bet you get some awesome morcilla out there?
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by Mad Dog on May 6, 2012 at 12:05 am
You’ve really gone to town – excellent!
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 5, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Bacon makes everything taste good!
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by frugalfeeding on May 5, 2012 at 8:44 pm
I. love. bacon. I don’t know what else to say other than… amazing.
Posted by jennypaws on May 5, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I SO wish I hadn’t forgotten my pressure cooker when we moved house. 😦 Left it in a cupboard with some other pans. ~slaps forehead~
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 5, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Oh no! mines a new toy, so have lots of plans for it 🙂
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by countrywoodsmoke on May 5, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Thank you Rosemary. Love duck eggs fried in olive oil.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted by cookinginsens on May 5, 2012 at 7:39 pm
That egg looks delicious!