BAKED CHILI BEANS AND HAMBURGER

1 cup dry chili or kidney beans
3 cups water
1/2 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons drippings or other fat
1 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped fine
2 cups cooked or canned tomatoes (or 2 1/2 cups raw tomatoes cut in pieces)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Chili powder to taste

Boil beans in water 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and soak 1 hour or overnight. Cook in same .water until almost tender (or drain and cover with fresh water before cooking).

Brown meat in fat. Add onion, garlic, green pepper, tomatoes, and salt, and cook :a few minutes. Add meat mixture and chili powder to beans.

Place in a baking dish or bean pot, cover, and bake at 350 degrees F (moderate oven) about 2 hours. Uncover during the last half hour to brown the beans if desired. (Or cook the mixture slowly for about 1 hour in a covered kettle on top of the range. Stir occasionally.)

VARIATION:

Cook the beans with a ham bone, omitting ground beef and chili powder. Or use 1 cup ham trimmings from a baked ham instead of beef.

Makes about 4 servings
From: Recipelink.com
Adapted from source: Money-Saving Main Dishes, USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 43, 1955