Chili Barbecue Beans

Have you ever given or received a Holiday Gift in a Jar? Consider preparing this recipe for Chili Barbecue Beans as a gift. Just layer the dry ingredients in a jar as instructed in the first recipe. (See picture of layered jar in recipe for Double-Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies.) Copy the second recipe below and attach the recipe with a gift tag to the jar using raffia or ribbon. (*See 11-5-09 post for Jar-Assembly Tips.)

Chili Barbecue Beans Mix

1 cup dried Great Northern beans
1 cup dried red beans or dried kidney beans
1 cup dried baby lima beans
2 bay leaves
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons dried minced onion

1. Layer Great Northern beans, red beans and lima beans into 1-quart wide-mouth jar with tight-fitting lid. Pack down firmly after each layer. Slide bay leaves down side of jar. Combine brown sugar, onion, bouillon cubes, mustard, chili powder, garlic, black pepper and red pepper flakes in small bowl; mix well. Place mixture in small resealable plastic food storage bag. Force air from bag before sealing. Close with twist tie and cut off excess. Place in jar and seal jar.
2. Cover top of jar with fabric. Copy recipe for the chili and attach with gift tag using raffia or ribbon. (Makes one 1-quart jar.)

Chili Barbecue Beans

1 jar Chili Barbecue Beans Mix
3 to 4 cups water
8 slices crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled, or 8 ounces smoked
    sausage, sliced
1 to 1½ cups barbecue sauce

1. Remove bag and bay leaves from jar; set aside.
2. Place beans in large bowl; cover with water. Soak 6 to 8 hours or overnight. (To quickly soak beans, place in large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let soak, covered, 1 hour.) Drain beans; discard water.
3. Combine soaked beans, water, bacon, seasoning from bag and bay leaves in Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat cover; reduce heat and simmer 1½ hours. Add barbecue sauce and simmer, uncovered, 1 hour or until beans are tender. Remove and discard bay leaves. (Makes 8 to 10 servings.)

(Recipe taken from Holiday Gifts from a Jar, Publications International, Ltd.)