New interns in for a treat . . . Work BBQ

Tomorrow is Bike to work day and my company is hosting a BBQ for our new interns who come in to work with us during the summer months.  The combination bike day and a welcoming BBQ will make it a fun time and the weather is looking great for the event.  I was volunteered to help cook and people were bringing side dishes and deserts.  I figured I would give everyone a treat with my slightly different baked bean recipe.

Baked beans are a favorite side dish in the South.  It's rare to go to a barbecue or to a pot luck dinner and not see a baking dish with baked beans.

Some baked beans are a whole lot better than other baked beans . . . it takes some "doctoring up" to make the really yummy baked beans . . . the kind that means you come home with an empty casserole dish or crock pot.  If you’re really lucky someone will take the cornbread and lap up the juice in the bottom of the dish.

There are probably as many baked bean secrets in the South as there are Southern cooks.  Most cooks add some catsup, honey, brown sugar or something sweet.  Others add zip with onions or vinegar.  Some baked beans feature bacon, others wieners and still others hamburger.  There are just loads of ways to make baked beans your very own.

Living in Alaska for many years now it is always fun going to grill out with friends or co-workers who have never had anything but warming up what comes’ out of the can.  They seem surprised that flavor jumps out as it gets into their mouth and as they slowly chew and swallow the layers of flavors slowly continue to shine through.

Here is my Southern three meat baked bean recipe.

Ingredients:

1 pound polish sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices or diced
1.5 pound ground beef
5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 (28 oz size) cans Bush Maple Cured Bacon baked beans

1 (28 oz size) can Bush Honey Bacon baked beans

1 (28 oz size) can Bush Country Style baked beans

1 (28 oz size) can Bush Home Style baked beans
1/2 bottle KC Masterpiece Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce

1/2 large onion chopped/diced

1 Bell Pepper finely diced

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard

Brown sausage and remove from skillet. Discard drippings.

Brown beef and onion then drain.

Combine all ingredients in a 5-quart crock pot. Bake covered on high for 1 hour then turn to low for 30 minutes.

Serves 10 – 12 hungry people

I guess it will be hard pedaling a bike to work carrying a big crock full of beans.  It is less than five miles but in true Southern tradition the food comes before most anything else.

Bon Appetite

Ice