These beans are always on the the menu whenever I cook anything jerk, and mostly anytime I grill out. This is my adaptation of the several authentic Jamaican or jerk style black bean recipes. I basically made it quickand easy by using canned beans rather than soaking and cooking dried ones. These beans are so good that they sometimes steal the show from the main dish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 (15 oz) cans black beans
• 8 oz apple wood smoked bacon, diced (sub hickory smoked, the fattier the better)
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (18 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons of my jerk dry seasoning found here

PREPARATION:

In a pot cook the onions and bacon until onions are tender and the bacon is cooked but not crispy. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 3 more minutes. Than add the beans (with juice from the can), tomato sauce sugar and jerk seasoning. Bring to a quick boil then reduce to simmer and cook for 15- 20 minutes. At the end adjust the taste with salt (careful though, the liquid from the cans of beans and of course the bacon is very salty) and more jerk seasoning if needed.

Serves 6 – 8

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