Hearty Baked Beans

This is a very regional upper-midwest recipe. It takes on many forms and is always a crowd pleaser. Enjoy at your next fall get-together.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef 2 large onions – chopped 3/4 lb. bacon – cooked, drained and crumbled 4 cans (15 oz. each) pork and beans 1 18oz. bottle honey BBQ sauce 1 can (16oz.) kidney beans – drained 1 can (16oz.) lima beans – drained 1 can (16oz.) black beans – drained 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3 tbs. cider vinegar 1 tbs. liquid smoke (optional) 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper

Directions:

In large skillet cook the beef and onions. Drain off fat. Cook the bacon, drain and crumble.

Transfer to 5qt. Dutch oven. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cover and bake at 350° F. for one hour.

Stir and serve.

Makes 18 servings.