Recipe: Spicy (or not) Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans

I love baked beans, but I find that they usually have bacon in them, which of course prevents me from being able to enjoy them. A friend of mine makes some killer baked beans, and she always brings them to our potluck parties, but again, she always uses bacon. (Though she was nice enough to make a veg version for my birthday!) One day I got inspired to make my own baked beans, and it all started with making my own bbq sauce.

Recipe: Spicy (or not) Vegetarian BBQ Baked Beans

Inspired by my buddy Carla’s baked beans. See * below for making these less spicy.
+ 2 tbsp olive oil
+ 1/2 shallot, chopped fine
+ 1 jalapeño*, chopped fine
+ 2 cloves garlic, chopped fine or pressed
+ 1 can pinto beans or 1.5 cups beans in a pot
+ 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
+ 1/2 cups veg broth
+ 1 tbsp liquid sweetener (molasses is my favorite here, but agave or honey work fine)
+ 1 tablespoon puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce* (see here for more info)
+ few shakes of hot sauce*
+ salt and pepper, to taste

*For non-spicy (or simply less heat): Leave one, two, or all three of these items out.

1. Heat olive oil in a pot until hot. Add jalapeño, shallots, and garlic, and cook for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. You don’t want the garlic to burn, so be careful not too cook too long!

2. Add the beans and the rest of the ingredients, mixing well so it is all incorporated. If your beans didn’t have any salt, add some here. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, then reduce to a simmer.

3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it has thickened up and everything is soft & cooked together. Add some salt & pepper to taste (which may not be necessary, since this is such a flavorful dish).

4. Devour! But don’t burn your tongue! ;)