Award-winning recipe for slow-cooked beans

In this week's Notable, we announced the winners of the Southside Ultreya's 2nd annual Men’s Cook-Off.

Don Reich, pictured above, beat out more 20 other submissions with his slow-cooker bean recipe. He tells the story behind the dish and how he prepared it.   

My bean recipe was passed down from a family member. Over the years I have tweaked it and made it my own. Of late I have started using Grillin Beans and added different varieties of canned beans. The original recipe just used baked beans. Each time I make it I try something a bit different. When I make it for a family gathering I may leave out some items that I know one of my family members may not like (mushrooms, peppers etc) 

When I prepared the dish for the South side Ultreya gathering, I prepared the original recipe. I hope you will enjoy this simple but tasty dish. The only advise I can give to anyone wanting to prepare this dish, is that it is best to layer the ingredients in the crock pot, don't stir too often and I only partially cook it the night before and finish the cooking process the day of the event or family gathering. 

I selected this bean dish to cook because whenever I take it to pot lucks or family gatherings everyone just raves about it. I am always asked for the recipe, so, I decided to prepare what I do best. I have to say I was still very surprised to walk away with the coveted First place entree prize. Thanks to all who voted. Here is my "secret family recipe"

And the recipe:

Home Style Baked Beans

• 3- 22 oz. Cans of Bush’’s Grillin beans Steakhouse recipe 
• 1- 15 oz. Can of Bush’’s Black Beans ( Drained, do not rinse ) 
• 1- 15 oz Can of Bush's Navy or Pinto Beans (Drained do not rinse) 
• 1- 15 oz can of Bush's Kidney Beans (use half of can, drained do not rinse)
• 1 lb. Ground Beef
• 1 pack of Hebrew National Beef Franks ( use only 5 )
• 5 Strips of Bacon
• 1 Large Onion ( Cut up in about 1 inch squares )
• 1 Large Green Pepper ( Cut up in about 1 inch squares ) 
• 1 cup Mushrooms ( Sliced about same size as onion & peppers )
• 1 cup Karo clear syrup
• 1 cup Ketchup
• ½ cup Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

Use large crock pot
Cook and Brown separately: Ground Beef
Hebrew Franks ( then cut into 1 inch pieces )
5 stripes of Bacon ( then cut into 1 inch pieces )

Add all beans. Mix well but do not break up beans.

Add Ground Beef, the cut up frank, & the cut up Bacon.

Add the cut up Green Peppers, the cut up Onions, & the cut up Mushrooms.

In a small sauce pan combine the Syrup, Ketchup, Sugar, Dry Mustard, & Worcestershire Sauce.

Heat should be on low.

Pour syrup mixtures over all the ingredients in crock pot.

For best results layer all items a bit at a time (layer of beans, then meat, green peppers, onions, mushrooms etc) about three layers.


* FOR BEST TASTE AND FLAVOR:

Only cook for one hour when making. Then put in refrigerator over night to let the flavor
get into the beans. Then bring out the next day and heat up.


Cook in a large Crock Pot for about 4 hours on low.