What Makes Great Baked Beans?
Often associated with summer cookouts, baked beans are the quintessential side item. Their smoky, rich flavor will boost just about any dish, and they’re a terrific accompaniment to burgers, franks, and even scrambled eggs and toast. Great baked beans will be whole and intact, while their shade of brown color may range from light to dark. It’s crucial that baked beans look inviting and vibrant, rather than dull and unappealing, and that their sauce is appropriately thick. The beans themselves are not expected to deliver anything more than a low aroma on their own. The accompanying sauce, however, should be immediately noticeable, combining with the beans to create a tempting overall aroma of smoky meat, brown sugar, and warm spices. The best baked beans will be most defined by a moderate amount of sweetness, mainly from the element of brown sugar within. Saltiness and sourness should also be present at lower levels, though not enough to make a significant impact. Great baked beans will
