"I'm glad I don't have to hunt for my food. I don't even know where sandwiches live" - Gramps
Made these for our Canyonlands 2016 Reunion for the fam. I thought they were ok the first day, but the leftovers were better. Mom Groneman asked for the recipe so here it is!
From the kitchen of: Katie via "Tried & Tasty"
1 lb. dried navy beans, rinsed and picked over (I ended up doing 2lbs pinto beans because that's what I had. This made a full crockpot of beans - lots left over!)
1 lb. dried small red beans, rinsed and picked over
1 tbsp. salt
3 c. water (my beans were not as saucy as the ones in the photos on the original recipe - I might add at least a half cup more water next time).
6 slices thick cut bacon, cut into 1” pieces (I cooked it in slices, then cut/crumbled it)
1 c. celery, finely diced
1 c. onion, finely diced
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. brown sugar
4 tbsp. molasses
4 tbsp. honey
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Soak the beans for at least 8 hours, or overnight with 4 quarts of water and the salt.
Drain and pour into the slow cooker. Add 3 (maybe a little more) cups of water.
Cover and cook on high for 6 hours or until tender (I cooked mine on high, but maybe that's why they seemed a bit dry. Next time I'll do a lower setting for a little longer).
The rest is to be done about an hour before you want to eat according to the recipe, but I did it in the morning, stuck it in the fridge, then added it for the last 45 minutes or so.
In a medium skillet, cook bacon until just about crispy. Dry on paper towel.
Drain most of the grease, but reserve about a Tbs.
Saute the celery & onion in the reserved grease until translucent (I didn't cook the celery quite long enough in my opinion - it was still a little too crunchy).
Add the bacon, celery & onion to the slow cooker.
In a bowl whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and honey. Mix well.
Add seasonings and vinegar.
Pour into the slow cooker and stir to combine (again, I mixed the bacon, onions, celery and this sauce all together in the morning, then let it sit in the fridge while the beans cooked - then added it for the last half hour, at least).
Cook for an additional 30 minutes to heat throughout and for flavors to blend.
MAKES: A giant crockpot of beans!