BBQ Baked Beans

Summer is upon us!!! Yippee!!!! Hooray!!!! And that means cookout and fun in the sun! Here is an awesome recipe for you to bring along as a side dish to the next get-together. Enjoy!

You'll need:
1/2 c. dry Kidney beans
1/2 c. dry pinto beans
1/4 c. dry black beans
(OR, you could use 1 1/2 c. Navy beans instead...BUT I didn't have those, so this is what I used today)

12 slices THICK cut bacon, chopped
1 c. onion (I used 1/4 c red onion and 3/4 c sweet/yellow onion), chopped
1 tbs. garlic, minced
1 1/2 tbs. fresh jalapeno, chopped
1/4 c. honey
3/4 c. BBQ sauce(i used my own recipe MY BBQ Sauce but any BBQ sauce should do....)
1/2 c. ketchup
2 tbs. lea & perrins ( you can use generic, but none really have that same distinct flavor)
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cream of tarter
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. liquid smoke
2/3 c. Coca-Cola

Soak beans overnight (or, do the quick soak like I had to do, because this was kind of last minute on my part, follow instructions on bag)
Rinse and sort beans. Put in large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil, then cook on med/low heat for about 1 hr until tender. In the meantime, make the sauce.

In a large pan cook bacon on med/high heat until done but soft. DO NOT DRAIN FAT.

Turn heat to med and add onions, garlic, and jalapeno. Saute until onions caramelize and start to turn slightly brown on edges. DO NOT BURN!!!

um, i thin i was shaking the pan while taking a picture... not smart.

Add remaining ingredients, coke last. Turn heat down to med/low and let simmer for about 30 minutes until sauce thickens up, stirring occasionally.

this is what it looks like when you add the coke... fun!

Preheat over to 325 degrees.

Take BAY LEAF out. (this step is important, and usually forgotten. so dont forget.)

Rinse and drain beans well. Put in 9x9 casserole dish. Pour sauce over top.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil and stick in preheated oven for about an hr or until beans are done and tender.
Do not overcook, or it will be mush.

Serve hot!