Cooking with Kanibal: Faked Beans

In addition to crafts, Kanibal Home loves to cook. Last weekend we put our little garden to work and whipped up a fresh tomato sauce with basil, prosciutto, peas and ricotta for some guests. We also decided to go for the gold and make homemade fettucine. Four cups of flour, four eggs, olive oil, salt and 15 minutes of arm numbing kneading later and we had a meal fit for a Sunday summer dinner.

But it isn't all homemade in this house. Sometimes we just want some warm weather comfort food. As it usually happens, I had some leftover turkey kielbasa and sauerkraut, but was craving baked beans. Too busy (lazy) to run to the corner store, I faked my way through a recipe with what I had in the house, which is usually little more than condiments.

The self-professed queen of "throwing a little something together", these Faked Beans hit the spot.

Faked Beans

1 can of pink kidney beans, drained but not rinsed

1 tsp granulated garlic

chili powder, to taste

3 shakes of Frank's Red Hot sauce (or to taste)

1/2 cup ketchup

* all measurements are estimates

Combine all the ingredients and simmer in a small sauce pan on medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the liquid has reduced to a thick, syrupy consistency. Serve with your favorite grilled meats and veggies.

This is so fast and easy that the ingredients can be adjusted to reflect your personal preference. Personally, I like it with more hot sauce and chili powder for extra heat. Enjoy!