Calico Bean Bake ~ crowd size

This is a tried and true recipe that serves 30...one that we served many times at a fall barn party in years gone by.   Then we multiplied the recipe many times over...and served it at a church BBQ over the  years.  

• 4 pounds beans in tomato sauce
• 4 pounds red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 pounds lima beans or mixed beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 pound bacon, cut into small pieces
• 4 cups chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup vinegar

1. Fry bacon until crisp.  
2. Saute onions and garlic until tender.
3. Mix ketchup, sugar, mustard, salt and vinegar. 
4. Combine all ingredient.
5. Place in roaster and bake at 325° F for 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Serve it with BBQ'd farmer sausage or Bavarian smokies...add a salad and fresh bread...and you have the delicious meal.

If the party is over and there are beans left in the pot...freeze them in foil pans for another day.  They are just as good next time around!