Around this time of year, everyone is basking in the holidays of old, and reliving their family traditions, and making new ones. However, I really do love to keep things simple, and if the day calls for frozen pizza, frozen pizza it is.
That said, there are some traditions that we hold dear, and like most, there is food involved.
My family is french Canadian, and so is a lot of my cooking. Thank goodness! So many amazing foods to be had! Think classic sugar pie, meat pie, and poutine just to name a few. I’d love to share my meat pie recipe with you, but in truth it is my Mom’s and she’s holding it under her hat.
- 1 lb beans ( navy beans work best)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp. dry mustard
- 2 tsp. pepper
- 2 cups maple syrup
- 1/3 lb bacon
- salt
- Add beans to a large pot, cover with water, and soak overnight.
- Drain beans. Put them back in the pot, add fresh water, and bring to a boil.
- Boil 20 to 40 minutes. Test the beans, they will not get any softer, so boil them to the desired tenderness
- Drain beans again, place in roast pan.
- Mix in all remaining ingredients, except for the bacon
- Lay the strips of the bacon over the beans, cover with a lid, and roast in a 250 degree oven for 8 hrs.
- Water may be substituted for some of the maple syrup, but I recommend using as much maple syrup in the 2 cups of liquid as you can manage.
- Check the beans while roasting periodically. Give a little stir with a wooden spoon once in a while to check on the liquid. If the beans are getting dry, add a bit of water to prevent scorching and burning
These are the perfect way to top off a day playing in the snow, exploring the trails, and chopping wood. Served with some simple biscuits, and finished with some gingerbread cookies for dessert, this traditional family recipe is easy to make, and enjoyed by all.
