Wow, what a crowd pleaser this surprising side dish was!! Not only was the maple syrup the perfect amount of sweet but there were two secrets that pushed this dish over the top in flavor..... ginger and Chinese chili paste. Talk about two ingredients that pack a punch... These beans were a knockout hit!!
Ingredients
1 pound dry red kidney beans
2 quarts water
1 large yellow onion, cut in eighths
1 bay leaf
6 whole black peppercorns
3/4 cup medium amber pure maple syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Chinese chili paste
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon kosher salt
5 ounces thick-cut smoked bacon, cubed
