A Much Loved Vanley Family Recipe

    Many years ago- 41 to be exact, I was given a recipe by a friend.  We were stationed in Germany at the time.  Oh what an experience! (I'll save that for another post.). You can tell by the picture that the recipe card has been well loved!!   These beans  been with me for all these years and has proven to be one that I've made made many, many... many times!  I've made it consistently for every summer bbq,  family get together and sometimes it just showed up on the weekend menu.  

    I've given it to more people than I can remember as it seems everyone loves it as much as we do!

Since the 4th of July holiday is coming next week I thought maybe you would like to add it to the menu for your gathering.  Clearly it isn't a "diet" recipe but oh my... it is SO SO good! 

    Over the years, I've played a little bit with the recipe, substituting molasses for the corn syrup and brown sugar, omitting the bacon, substituting various different brands of bbq sauces etc.  The only consistent change I've kept with has been substituting molasses for the corn syrup and brown sugar.  

I'd suggest sticking with the original recipe the first time you try it.  We for sure like it best with Heinz BBQ sauce and Van Camps Pork and Beans.  I will say that if you can't find the Van Camps you can try to substitute any tomato based baked beans such as Campbells.  

    I would also plan ahead and get the ingredients together so that you can start early enough to give the beans at least 4 hours in a crock pot.  You can bake them in the oven as well.  I just prefer the crock pot instead of turning on the oven and heating the kitchen up   - especially in the middle of the summer!  I've also cooked/baked them the day before and then just heated them up the day we needed them.  We all think they taste better the second day.

Lois' Baked Beans

            1 lb lean ground beef browned and drained

            1 (20 3/4oz) can of Van Camps pork & beans

            1 medium onion finely chopped

            1/2 C dark brown sugar

            1/2 C dark corn syrup  

                        (you can substitute brown sugar and corn syrup with 1/2 C molasses)

            1 C Heinz BBQ sauce

            Bacon strips (optional)

            Mix all ingredients in a large casserole (or crock pot).  Top with bacon.  Bake at 350-375 for 45-50 minutes.  If using a crock pot, cook on low for 4-5 hours.  Whether baking or using crock pot cook until the juices have cooked down.

     Our favorite side to accompany this is potato salad.    I hope you give these beans a try,  I'm confident they'll become a new family favorite for you as well!

Happy 4th of July!

Until next time,

~Sue