Gusto's Salads & Side Dishes

4 Bean and Bacon Baked Beans

Serves 10

10 slices Gusto apple wood smoked bacon, diced
1 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, diced
12 oz stout (like Guinness) or other really dark beer
1 can (15 ounce) diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons prepared Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 can (15 ounce) cannellini beans or white kidney beans
1 can (15 ounce) pinto beans
1 can (15 ounce) black beans
1 can (15 ounce) red kidney beans

1. Preheat oven to 400 F
2. Cook the Gusto apple wood smoked bacon in a heavy oven safe pot over medium heat until about half way done, remove bacon and set aside
3. Drain all but 2 tablespoons fat
4. Add the onions to the pot and brown slowly
(this could take 15 to 20 minutes)
5. Add the garlic, cook until aromatic about 1 minute
6. Mix in the beer, tomatoes, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, molasses, Dijon mustard, salt & pepper
7. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce to simmer
8. Add the bacon back in
9. Drain and rinse all of the beans
10. Gently stir the beans into the sauce
11. Transfer to the oven and bake uncovered until the sauce thickens, about 1 1/2 hours, stir half way through