Triple "b" Beans

Chef Stu #2's Note:

Triple B for three types of beans, and triple b for bacon, brown sugar, and bourbon. Calico beans with a twist. This side dish can also serve easily as an entree. It's a step or two away from the original Calico bean recipe's sweet, tangy, spicy profile. We cook it in a cast iron Dutch oven at home and then serve it over the fire for the first night at the campground. If you can cool them down and save them they're even better the second day.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 lb ground chuck
• 1 ½ cups diced onions
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• ½ lb bacon
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1⁄3; cup Bourbon (little for the cook too)
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can great northern beans
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Remove bacon from drippings with a slotted spoon and place bacon on a paper towel lined plate.
2. Reserve drippings in pan.
3. In reserved drippings cook onion, garlic, and ground beef until browned.
4. Mix brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, bourbon and chili powder well, and then add to meat mixture.
5. Drain beans and add to pot.
6. Let mixture simmer 10 minutes on medium heat.
7. Add syrup,hot sauce, onion and liquid smoke then simmer for 15-20 minutes stirring often.
8. The longer this is allowed to simmer, the better. It's always better the second day.