Better Baked Beans

Baked beans are often loaded with sugar and tons of stuff we don't want to eat. This recipe has a perfect blend of sweet and sour using maple syrup and apple cider vinegar, and no refined sugars. It makes you wonder why those other options even exist:) 

Ingredients:

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• Olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 4.5 cups cooked beans (King City Pink or any mild variety) from 1.5 cups dried
• 1 teaspoon salt
• fresh pepper 

Directions

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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Heat olive oil in an oven proof pot and add chopped onions. Saute until translucent (~5 min).
3. Add the garlic and smoked paprika. Mix together and cook for another minute.
4. Add tomato paste, mustard, maple syrup, acv, and broth and stir until blended together.
5. Add the cooked beans, salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 minutes.
6. Cover the pot and transfer the beans to the oven. Bake for 45 min. 

Serve warm, on toast or straight in a bowl topped with fresh herbs and pickled onions.