Calico Beans

Used 1/2 cup water because I like to drain beans

Used 1/2 cup water because I like to drain beans

I made this two different ways...one regular and one veg. I used large butter, black bean with jalapeno and lime, vegetarian baked beans and cannellini all undrained mixed in a bowl. One pot had 3 strips bacon that had been browned then removed, then added beef, onion and celery including tops! The other pot I heated EVOO and added the onion and celery …. browned everything in each pot....followed by half the bean mixture to each. I used BBQ for the veg version ( wishing I had liquid smoke )and half BBQ and ketchup for the other, red wine vinegar because it was low and I'm trying to use it up and mustard powder. ( I added a little extra ketchup and mustard powder to the meat version because the man is a fan of both). Also, chopped the cooked bacon and threw it in the meat pot. I did not add any sugar because I was making sweet cornbread....I simmered on the stove covered for ease of preparation. This is fantastic!! Thank you Kathy!!!!

I have made this since I was a very young woman. I use whatever cans of beans I have on hand. Usually, pork & beans, kidney beans & chili beans unless I see something at market that looks interesting. I use way less brown sugar about a TBLSP. I use a tsp or two of vinegar & the rest the same. Perfect on cold winter nights with corn bread & fried potatoes.