Boston Beanwich Food

CHEF JOHN'S BOSTON BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Soak navy beans overnight in a large bowl with enough water by several inches. Drain and place beans into a large Dutch oven or heavy pot with 6 cups water, baking soda, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and boil for 10 minutes. Drain, saving bean-cooking liquid.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Transfer beans into clean Dutch oven and stir bacon, onion, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper into beans. Pour enough of the hot reserved bean liquid in to cover beans; stir.
• Cover Dutch oven and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Check liquid level and add more of the reserved bean liquid to bring liquid up to cover beans. Return to oven and continue baking until beans are tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 1 hour.
• Raise oven heat to 350; bake beans uncovered in oven until top develops a flavorful crust, 20 to 30 more minutes.

BOSTON BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Sort beans and rinse in cold water. Place beans in a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker; add 4 cups water. Cover and let stand overnight., Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Return beans to slow cooker; add salt pork., In a small bowl, combine the onion, brown sugar, molasses, sugar, mustard, salt, cloves, pepper and remaining water. Pour mixture over beans; stir to combine., Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or until beans are tender.

BOSTON BEANWICH

Steps:

• Butter one side of one slice of bread.
• Spread the other side of the bread with the beans.
• Top with a slice of American cheese.
• Spread the second slice of bread with the mustard, and put it mustard side down.
• Butter the top of the bread, and on a griddle or frying pan, cook the sandwich until the beans are hot, cheese is melted slightly and the sandwich is nicely browned.

HAM & CARAMELIZED ONION GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Coat a medium-size nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium heat.
• Add onion, sugar and salt to skillet; cover.
• Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned; remove from heat.
• Stir together mustard, horseradish and honey; set aside.
• Spread 4 slices of bread evenly with mustard mixture, then layer 3 slices ham over each piece of bread.
• Place about 2 T onions on top of the ham, then place 1 slice cheese on top of the onions.
• Place 4 remaining bread slices over cheese.
• Spritz both sides of sandwich with nonstick cooking spray and cook in nonstick skillet over medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until cheese has melted, turning halfway through.
• Serve with mixed greens on the side, if desired.