THE HERITAGE RECIPE PROJECT: Baked Beans à la Mèrmère
a delicious legacy of a French grandmother
This article is part of The Heritage Recipe Project series, where we celebrate culinary heritage, the art of the shared recipe, and create a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Memere Allen's Beans: A Heartwarming Family Tradition
In the tapestry of family traditions, there are threads woven so tightly that they become an inseparable part of our lives. Donna Nardolillo's cherished family recipe for Baked Beans is one of those threads entwined with her beloved "Memere" Allen.
A Grandmother’s Love and Legacy
Donna's roots are deeply embedded in a large, very close-knit family. Her mother, Mary, was one of thirteen children, and Donna is one of fifty-eight grandchildren. And the heart and soul of every gathering was Memere Allen and her famous baked beans. These beans weren't just a side dish; they were the cornerstone of family gathering, from joyous baby showers to unforgettable weddings.
As her family grew, the gatherings became so immense that Memere had to start renting a hall to accommodate everyone during the holidays. And as the family grew, the warmth and closeness they shared flourished as well. Donna fondly recalls her cousins as her first friends, and their bond remains unbreakable even after half a century.
A Keepsake of Love
Memere's love extended far beyond her kitchen, but it was there that it took physical form. Donna remembers her grandmother, standing in front of the stove, passionately preparing the beans. Memere held a timeless secret to her delicious recipe - "you must cook with love." It is, of course, this extra ingredient of love that made her dish so extraordinary.
When Memere peacefully passed away on her 90th birthday, her family gathered at her home to remember her and to choose a keepsake. Amongst all the treasures, Donna found herself drawn to something truly special - Memere's two wooden spoons. These old utensils, worn and weathered, had assisted in creating countless meals with love.
An Invitation
Donna and her husband now use those very same wooden spoons almost every day in their own kitchen. To some, they might look like just two old utensils ready for retirement, but to Donna, they represent a transcendent connection. They embody the love and tradition that Memere Allen infused into every meal she prepared.
Donna invites you to experience a taste of this heartwarming family tradition with this shared recipe from her grandmother. It's a recipe that holds not only the flavors of family traditions but the enduring love and memories of a grandmother who believed that love is the essential ingredient in every dish.
In the spirit of family, love, and heritage, let's cook up a batch of Memere Allen's Beans, and savor the comfort that love brings to the table.
Mèmère Allen’s Baked Beans
Serves: (16) • Prep: (20 minutes) • Cook Time: (2 hour 30 minutes + time to soak beans)
Discover the magic of family heritage with Memere Allen's Baked Beans recipe – a heartwarming tradition filled with love and flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound navy pea beans
1 onion (chopped)
1/2 pound salt pork
1/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Soak navy beans in 4 cups of water for 12 hours.
Drain the beans transfer to a large cooking pot. Add enough water to cover, bring to a boil, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook for 1 - 2 hours until beans are tender.
Add the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and then turn heat to low and cook until done, about 30 minutes.
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