A sweet and spicy baked bean casserole honoring the many regional styles of the great American barbecue. Mix includes a miniature bottle of BBQ Sauce. Serves 8-10.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 5.5 hours

Kansas City Cookout Barbecue ‘n’ Beans

Ingredients to have on hand

• 4 c. cold tap water
• 4-6 strips hickory smoked bacon (pork or turkey)
• 2 c. onions, coarsely chopped
  
• 1/4 c. molasses
  
• 3/4 c. zesty barbecue sauce
  
• 1/2 c. light brown sugar
  
• 1/3 c. thick ketchup
  
• 1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
  
• spice packet (included)
• contents of small sauce bottle (included)

Directions

1. Sort through and thoroughly wash beans. Soak beans for four hours or overnight in water to cover by 2 inches.
2. Drain and rinse the beans. Place beans in a medium heavy duty pot along with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium low and cook covered for one hour and ten minutes.
3. If you are including the bacon, ten minutes before beans are finished cooking, fry bacon as directed. Place on paper towel to dry. Chop fine and place in a large mixing bowl along with the remaining ingredients. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
4. Remove cooked beans from heat. Pour the beans (liquid included) into the sauce mixture and gently but thoroughly stir to blend. Place mixture in a 6-8 qt. casserole dish. Cover and bake on middle rack of your oven for at least four hours. After the first two hours check hourly to add water if necessary. For thicker beans, cook 1/2 hour extra. If you are lucky enough to be barbecuing outside, place the beans in a covered metal baking dish and tuck them on the grill in a hot corner of your cooker. Check every hour to add water if necessary.

Ready for heaven on earth? Grab a big plate and surround your favorite barbecue with these outstanding beans, plenty of zesty coleslaw, grilled vegetable kabobs, ice cold tea, and watermelon for dessert.

Serves 8-10. Enjoy!