Cowboy Beans

This is a recipe that comes from Kathy's side of the family.  Kathy and her sisters are the third generation of cooks in her family that make this recipe.  It has been a staple at family gatherings for years.  This is a perfect side dish for potlucks, picnics and parties and you can eat them until you...Pop!  (The P alliteration reminded me of a weird spoken word piece from a Monkee's album from my youth.)  Although traditionally, this is used as a side dish, with grilled brats and burgers, I've often thought this could be a main dish.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup fried Bacon Pieces
• ½ cup diced Onion
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 can Butter Beans (drained)
• 1 can Kidney Beans (NOT drained)
• 1 can Pork-'n-Beans

• 2 tablespoons Vinegar
• ¾ cup packed Brown Sugar
• ½ cup Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon prepared Yellow Mustard

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Fry bacon pieces, (about 8 slices)
3. Sweat the onion in the bottom of a heavy, oven-safe pot
4. Add the Ground Beef to the onion and brown.
5. In a saucepan combine bottom five ingredients and heat to a simmer
6. In the pot with the beef and onion, combine bacon, beans and brown sugar sauce, (Boom! Another obliteration!) 
7. Heat covered in oven for 1 hour.

Alternative Directions (Slow Cooker)

1. Fry the bacon pieces
2. Sweat the onion
3. Add the ground beef to the onion
4. Combine bacon, ground beef and onion, and remaining ingredients in a slow cooker.
5. Serve hot.