Blog # 7

"Old Settler's Beans"


1 pound of ground beef
1 pound of bacon
1 white onion
1 large can of pork and beans
1 can of chili beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of black beans
1 can of butter beans
1 envelope of McCormick's chili seasoning mix
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of white sugar
1/4 cup of mustard
1/4 cup of ketchup
3/4 cup of barbecue sauce

In one frying pan add the ground beef and onion and brown all the way through.  In another frying pan cook the bacon. Drain the fat from both meats and combine them into a baking dish.  Add all the cans of beans.  (remember to drain the pinto, black, and butter beans first). Add the chili seasonings, sugar, kethcup mustard, and barbecue sauce.  Mix everything together.  Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. 

This is my mothers most successful recipe.  Time and again family members call her up and request she bring "the beans" to the next family gathering.  She is so pleased when people request this.  However, much to the dismay of my mother, my siblings and I hate them.  Also, I have absolutely no idea how these infamous beans gained their title.

I think this recipe really portrays my family's economic status for a long time.  Growing up we did not have a lot of money and meals needed to be both cheap and filling.  This recipe makes enough beans for at least ten people and is a great side dish for a barbecue.