Hearty Pork and Beans
Originally published in Casserole Cookbook 2001, this unusual recipe with apple and onion has become a family favorite.
Originally published in Casserole Cookbook 2001, this unusual recipe with apple and onion has become a family favorite.
- Carbohydrate 82.4694772192952 g
- Cholesterol 85.728569368 mg
- Fat 38.0700118073007 g
- Fiber 9.89836268307214 g
- Protein 30.89666889131 g
- Saturated Fat 9.9301262295364 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (367g)
- Sodium 592.208943627051 mg
- Sugar 72.571114536223 g
- Trans Fat 4.2570592389778 g
- Calories 789 calories
Step-by-step
- Crumble beef into an ungreased shallow 2-qt. microwave-safe dish; add apple and onion.
- Cover and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes, stirring once; drain.
- Stir in the pork and beans, bacon, barbecue sauce and molasses.
- Cover and cook on high for 4-6 minutes or until heated through, stirring once.
- Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with chips.
Microwave wattage dictates the exact duration required to render fat from ground beef without toughening the protein. An 1,100-watt appliance operates differently than a standard 700-watt model, meaning you must watch for the visual cue of opaque, completely browned meat before draining excess grease. Adjusting this recipe for larger crowds requires caution; doubling the volume inside a single vessel will obstruct microwave penetration and lead to uneven internal temperatures. Divide multiplied ingredients across multiple shallow dishes rather than stacking depth to maintain proper heat distribution.
Balancing Sugars and Acidity
Chemical interaction defines the flavor profile here, specifically the balancing act between acidic tart apples and high-fructose molasses. Pectin within the diced apple breaks down under heat, releasing natural malic acid that cuts through the heavy sweetness of the molasses and barbecue sauce. If substituting the tart apple with a sweeter variety like Gala or Fuji, introduce a splash of cider vinegar at a one-to-two ratio to restore necessary sharpness.
Texture Management
Retaining crunch in the corn chip topping depends strictly on timing the final assembly window. Moisture migration from the bean and beef mixture will turn corn chips soggy within ten minutes of contact. Reserve the crushed chips in an airtight container at room temperature and garnish individual portions immediately before consumption.
