This dish involves slow cooking dried or pre-soaked beans with a touch of maple syrup until tender, resulting in a sticky, caramelized exterior and a soft, hearty interior. The process emphasizes gentle simmering to develop rich flavors and a comforting, glazed finish on the beans.
1pounddried white beanssoaked overnight if possible
2cupswater or vegetable broth
0.25cupmaple syruppreferably pure maple syrup
1teaspoonsaltto taste
0.5teaspoonblack pepper
1tablespoonapple cider vinegaroptional, for balancing sweetness
Instructions
Rinse the beans thoroughly under cold water and drain well. Transfer them to the slow cooker and pour in the water or broth.
Drizzle the maple syrup over the beans, allowing it to coat the surface evenly. Add salt and black pepper for seasoning.
Stir everything gently with a mixing spoon until well combined. You should see the beans begin to look glossy from the syrup coating.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low heat. Let the beans cook slowly for about 6 hours, until they are tender and start to caramelize around the edges.
Periodically check the beans and give them a gentle stir to prevent sticking and promote even caramelization.
Once the beans are tender and have developed a sticky, glazed appearance, stir in the apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavors, if desired.
Turn off the slow cooker and allow the beans to rest for 5 minutes, so the flavors meld and the glaze thickens slightly.
Serve the beans warm in bowls, enjoying their soft, sticky texture and rich maple aroma.
Notes
For best results, soak the beans overnight to ensure even cooking. You can also add chopped herbs or crispy bacon bits as a garnish after cooking for extra flavor.