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1 can (15 ounces) Lima beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged Lima beans, rinsed, drained
1 can (15 ounces) Red beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged Red beans, rinsed, drained
1 can (15 ounces) Navy beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged Navy beans, rinsed, drained
1 can (15 ounces) Blackeyes or 1 1/2 cups cooked dry-packaged Blackeyes, rinsed, drained
1 can (8 ounces) reduced-sodium or regular tomato sauce
1 cup reduced-sodium or regular barbecue sauce
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 to 1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard or 2 to 3 teaspoons prepared mustard
1/3 cup cooked crumbled reduced-sodium or regular bacon

1. Mix all ingredients, except bacon, in 2-quart casserole. Sprinkle bacon over top of casserole.
2. Bake, covered, at 350° F. for 30 minutes; bake, uncovered, 1 hour, or until thickened.

Makes 8 main-dish servings (about 1 cup each) or 12 side-dish servings (about 2/3 cup each).

NOTE: Although B.E.A.N. recipes usually call for a specific variety, any canned or dry-packaged bean variety can be easily substituted for another.

Nutrient Information Per serving: Calories 319; Fat 2g; % Calories from Fat 6; Calcium 94mg; Carbohydrate 65g; Folate 194mcg; Sodium 922mg; Protein 14g; Dietary Fiber 11g; Cholesterol 3mg

TIPS:

Soaking Dry-Packaged Beans:

Before cooking, soak dry-packaged beans to help soften and return moisture to the beans and reduce cooking time. Most beans will rehydrate to triple their dry size, so be sure to start with a large enough pot.

Preferred Hot Soak and Quick Soak Methods -- Hot soaking helps dissolve some of the gas-causing substances, making the beans easier to digest. For each pound beans, add 10 cups hot water; heat to boiling and let boil 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and set aside for at least one hour (Quick Soak), or up to 4 hours (Hot Soak).

Traditional Overnight Soak -- For each pound (2 cups) dry-packaged beans, add 10 cups cold water and let soak overnight, or at least 8 hours.

Cooking Dry-Packaged Beans:

• Drain soaking water and rinse beans; cook in fresh water. In general, beans take 30 minutes to 2 hours to cook depending on variety. Check bean packaging for specific cooking times and instructions.
• Spice up beans while they cook. Seasonings such as garlic, onion, oregano, parsley or thyme can be added to the pot while beans are cooking. Add acidic ingredients, such as tomatoes, vinegar, wine or citrus juices, only at end of cooking, when the beans are tender.
• Add salt only after beans are cooked to tender. If added before, salt may cause bean skins to become impermeable, halting the tenderizing process.
• To test for doneness, bite-taste a few beans. They should be tender, but not overcooked. When cooling, keep beans in cooking liquid to prevent them from drying out.

Recipe provided courtesy of The Bean Education & Awareness Network.