Recipe: CALICO BEANS

My company just had a crock pot cookoff, and my recipe here took 1st place out of 19 entires. This is a large recipe that can be used as a main dish or side dish, and it will be a definite crowd pleaser! Enjoy! - Jean

Jean's Church Basement Calico Beans

NOTE: If you can't find Cajun Power Garlic Sauce at your friendly neighborhood supermarket, don't sweat it! You can use a little extra barbecue sauce instead. Use this recipe as a guideline. Feel free to substitute ingredients as you see fit, and let your imagination run wild!

THE INGREDIENTS

lb. bacon, chopped
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans Pork and Beans (do not drain)
1 can kidney beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can butter beans
1 can navy beans
1 can Great Northern beans
1 tsp. Dry mustard
cup chili sauce
cup brown sugar, packed
1 tbs. liquid smoke
cup Cajun Power Garlic Sauce
cup barbecue sauce

THE PROCEDURE

1. In a large pot or deep skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towel. Drain all but 1 tsp. of the bacon drippings from pot or skillet.
2. Add the onions and garlic to pot or skillet. Saut for a couple of minutes until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant. Add the ground beef, brown and drain.
3. Drain and rise all of the beans EXCEPT for the 2 cans of Pork and Beans.
4. Add beef and bacon to your crock-pot.
5. Add all of the beans to the beef and bacon mixture and stir.
6. Mix together the dry mustard, chili sauce, brown sugar, liquid smoke, Cajun Power Garlic Sauce, and barbecue sauce. Stir into the crock-pot.
7. Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or low 8-10.