Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Calico beans are always a hit for parties in my neck of the woods. We keep in a crock pot on low and these can definately be made ahead.

6 slices of bacon, diced
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp ground mustard
2 cans pork n beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can butter beans

In a large dutch oven, medium high heat, cook bacon until crisp and remove from pan. Drain on paper towel.
Add onions and cook till soft and then add ground beef. Cook until no pink exists on meat.
Add pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans and mix together. Add ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard and mix together.
Add bacon back to pot.

Cook until beans are heated through about 15-20 minutes on medium heat.

Transfer to a crock pot on low or serve!

I've had friends use this as a hot dog topping as well - great for Memorial Day!

I have a Betty Crocker "Cookie" cookbook that was my Mom's that I couldn't live without. She passed away 15 years ago this month. Christmas would not be the same without her orange drop cookies that are found in this cookbook - her notes in the margins make me feel like she is still in the kitchen with me.

I can't have anyone over for dinner at my house if I don't make my salad. Simple salad of romaine, red peppers, green peppers, roma tomatoes, cucumbers, feta and red onions. I top it with a quick dressing of fresh ground black pepper, extra virgin olive oil, Lawrey's season salt and balsamic vinegar -it's so easy to make and tastes so good!