The Better Baker: Scrumptious Sweet 'n' Spicy Baked Beans

I served this dish to many at a local Bean Days festival this summer and heard many comments about how they thought they were the best beans in town.

...And several came back for second...even third helpings!

I combined and simplified ideas from a couple other bean recipes online,

and this is what I came up with...MMM!

The BBQ sauce and chili powder add a bit of 'zip' to this tasty recipe!

This is not a HOT dish...just with a little kick-back to them...

(If you prefer to 'tame' this down, use a BBQ sauce with less tang).

These are great for reunions, BBQ's, picnics or camping!

Hope you'll try them and see for yourself.

Everything's better with bacon in it, right????

SWEET 'N' SPICY BAKED BEANS

1/2 # bacon, diced and browned, undrained

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. Sweet 'n' Spicy BBQ sauce

(or your favorite)

2 Tb. white vinegar

2 tsp. worchestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. (fresh) ground pepper

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 can (15 ozs.) pork and beans, undrained

1 can (15 ozs.) great northern beans, drained

1 can (15 ozs.) chili beans in sauce, undrained

Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, cook bacon; remove from pan with slotted spoon when browned, leaving half the grease in pan; (reserve remaining grease) cook onion until transparent and tender in grease; add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer.

Place onion mixture in a large bowl with remaining ingredients, then add browned bacon and remaining grease.

Place in lightly sprayed 3 qt. casserole dish; cover and bake 40 minutes; uncover and bake 30 minutes longer.

Serve hot or at room temperature.

Other popular bean dishes...

Winning Baked Beans (People's Choice)