Potluck Pleaser

As the holidays approach we all have gatherings that require us to bring along a hot dish. I personally almost always bring some sort of yeast bread or rolls or a cheesecake or another dessert....mostly because that's what I like the best and other people don't seem to want to make that kind of thing.

But, homemade bread and super rich cheesecakes are not necessarily easy on the budget. I've recently discovered a cheap potluck dish that is easy to make and pleases the crowd. My friend Lucia made this for a cast party we attended and everyone raved about it. And all of the ingredients cost just a few cents (except the bacon). It takes the standard baked beans just a little further. I give you Lucia's Bean Bake

Lucia's Bean Bake

8 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. cider vinegar

1 tsp. dry mustard (or 1 Tbsp. regular mustard)

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

4 large onions

3 15-oz cans of beans (choose any combination of the following lima, butter, kidney, white, pinto, black, green)

1 15-oz can of baked beans (not pork'n beans)

Mix sugar, mustard, garlic salt, salt and vinegar. Place sliced onions & vinegar mixture in pan. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Drain all beans, except the baked beans. Place in a 9x13 pan. Cover with vinegar/onion mixture and crumbled bacon. Bake 1 hour @ 350.

For more Kitchen Tips and recipes head over to Tammy's Recipes.