BAGWAN BEANS

This cold weather we are having makes me long for comfort food. The crock-pot is my favorite small appliance. Just load it up, turn it on, and you can have the makings for a good, wholesome dinner at the end of your day. This hearty beef and bean dinner dish is nourishment at its best. All you need to go with it is a green salad and some crusty rolls.

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. bacon, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (15oz.) cans pork and beans
1 (16oz.) cans kidney beans, drained
1 (15-oz.) can butter beans, drained
3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon liquid smoke, optional
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet, stirring until it crumbles. Drain beef, and place in 4-quart electric slow cooker. Combine bacon and onion in same skillet; cook until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon and onion, and place in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients; cover and cook on High setting for 5 hours.

"Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear."-Aesop