Yes, yes, it’s a musical fruit, whatever.  Cut. Print. Moving on.  I feel like baked beans are one of those dishes that tends to get taken for granted.  But with a few added tweaks and ingredients, this is a dish that can compliment any barbecue and literally have them lining up for 2nd and 3rd helpings (true story, happened to me).  Also I hear it’s a dish that’s good for your heart.  ?  With football tailgates and cookouts getting ready to kick-off (I really can’t help the puns) this is a great dish to sweeten and spice up the menu.

Brown Sugar Baked Beans

Ingredients:
1 28oz can of baked beans
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 – 3/4 diced green pepper
1/2 diced vidalia onion
2 1/2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup mustard
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
Black Pepper to taste

Directions:
1.  In a large skillet, saute the peppers and onions until onions are mostly clear; add 1 Tbsp brown sugar to skillet and continue to cook peppers and onions until well coated in brown sugar; set aside
2.  In a large, oven-safe dish, pour entire can of baked beans
3.  Add to dish, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, worcestershire sauce, and pepper-onion mixture; add pepper as needed; stir well
4.  Bake beans at 350 degrees for one hour, uncovered; serve immediately

Helpful Hints: To really send this dish over the edge, substitute the olive oil with bacon grease when sauteing the peppers and onions.  I shouldn’t have to explain why.  Bacon.  Grease.  Get it?