CALICO BEANS
This is a nice change from regular baked beans. It’s our favorite potluck dish and a regular for our cookouts. We even use it for a main dish with hot cornbread on a cold winter evening. It is the ONLY way my family will eat lima beans…they even request this dish!
• 6 slices bacon
• ½ lb. lean hamburger
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 t. mustard
• ½ cup onion
• 1 t. salt (optional)
• 2 t. vinegar
• One 15-16 oz. can of red kidney bean (drained)
• One 15-16 oz. can of lima beans (drained)
• One 15-16 oz. can of large butter beans (undrained, include juice)
• One 15-16 oz. can of favorite brand of baked beans (undrained, include juice) NOTE: I usually use a 28-oz can of the baked beans
Brown the chopped bacon, set aside. Lightly brown the onions, set aside. Brown hamburger and drain off grease. In a Dutch oven, large casserole dish or crock pot, combine remaining ingredients. Add meat. Cooking options: bake 350 degree oven for 45 minutes; OR simmer on top of stove for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it is not sticking; OR put in crock pot as long as you need. Freeze leftovers in smaller batches to add to a quick meal.
VARIATION NOTES: If I could not find canned lima beans, I have used frozen. Also, a can of black beans (be sure to rinse and drain) can be substituted for any of the beans except the baked beans.