Ultimate Baked Beans

Not too long ago my family and I attended a block party where the menu was traditional hotdogs and hamburgers. Among the array of potato chips and brownies was also a very interesting baked beans dish. Although it was served as a side to the main course, this easily could be a meal in itself. I was curious and fascinated at the same time because I’d never seen baked beans quite like this. So I asked the person who’d prepared  them how he made it, and then I tweaked it a bit and made it for dinner. You can double or triple this recipe to your heart’s content, but for my family of four I made it as follows.

1 lb ground turkey or chicken

1 tsp EVOO (not necessary if you’re using ground beef)

1 (20 oz) can Bush’s vegetarian baked beans

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 pkg (8 oz) sliced mushrooms

4 slices turkey bacon

1 T brown sugar

1 tsp ground mustard*

1/2 tsp white pepper

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add EVOO, onions and ground meat. Begin to crumble the meat as it cooks and then add peppers and mushrooms. I would recommend chopping up the mushrooms. Cook until meat is browned, onions are translucent, and veggies are soft.

2. In another skillet cook the bacon and then allow a few minutes to cool before chopping.

3. In a large bowl combine beans, brown sugar, mustard, and white pepper. *You can use regular yellow mustard, or any type that you prefer. I just happen to love ground mustard.

4. Add the meat mixture and the bacon to the beans and combine well.

5. Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 1 hour.

Enjoy! You will be surprised how great this is 🙂

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