3 Bean BBQ Beans

We made this for the Fourth of July and they were fantastic. This comes from one who does not like beans at all! You'll need the biggest dutch oven you can get, otherwise cut the recipe in half. The beans need to soak over night or you can use a quick soak method before moving on to adding the bacon. These beans need to cook for a very long time to soften and develop in flavor.

The full recipe made so much we had plenty leftover for dinner the next night. I took the leftover spice rubbed and grilled ribs we made and took the meat off the bones, chopped it up, and added it to the remainder of the beans and reheated in the oven. Delicious and hearty!

Maurisa's 3 Bean BBQ Beans

1 pound dried black beans

1 pound dried pinto beans

1 pound dried kidney beans

1/2 pound bacon diced

salt and pepper

1 full recipe of Mau's BBQ sauce

Place all three pounds of beans in large pot or dutch oven. Pick through and discard any stray pebbles. Cover beans with water and leave to soak on the stove overnight. In the morning drain and rinse the beans in a colander. Return to the dutch oven, cover with water, add the bacon, 2 teaspoons of salt and 2 teaspoons of black pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer at least two hours until beans have softened. While simmering prepare the bbq sauce. Once bbq sauce and beans have simmered, add the bbq sauce to the beans. Transfer

pot to a 325 degree oven and bake, stirring occasionally for at least one hour, but up to as much as two hours before serving.

Mau's BBQ Sauce

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 28 oz can tomato sauce

1 6 oz can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon oregano

Heat all ingredients in a large sauce pan over medium high heat until they just begin to bubble. Reduce to low and let simmer for two hours. Allow to cool slightly and blend until smooth in a blender. Add the entire batch to a full recipe of beans. We use this sauce for pulled pork and as a condiment for all sorts of bbq goodness.