Meaty Baked Beans for a Bunch

I made these beans several days ahead of the day we made apple juice as a family.

 I knew I'd not feel like cooking after a long day and these beans needed only to be heated through in the oven.  This is one of those recipes that is flexible to your preferences. ie: If you like more heat,Use Chroizo sausage and add hot salsa in place of the medium,

 if you think there is too much sugar, reduce it to your taste.

• 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage meat, browned and drained
• 8-10 slices bacon, cut up and fried until crisp
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped                      
• 2 stalks celery, chopped 
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper                              
• 1/2 cup chopped red or yellow pepper  
• 1  24 ounce can pork and beans, drained                  
• 1  14 ounce can pork and beans, drained
• 1 can niblets corn, drained
• 1  19 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1  19 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3/4  cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup Chili Sauce
• 1 1/2 cups medium salsa 
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke
•  4-6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1. Place cooked, crumbled ground beef and sausage meat in a large roaster.
2. Fry bacon until crisp, remove from pan into roaster.
3. Add chopped onions, peppers and celery to bacon fat and saute' until soft..
4.  Place beans and corn, bacon, onion, celery and peppers into roaster with the meat.
5. Mix remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
6. Pour sauce over bean and meat mixture and stir to combine.
7. Cover and bake for 2 hours in 350˚ F oven.  Remove lid for the last 1/2 hour.
8. Serve with Patty's Oriental Salad (http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2010/01/pattys-oriental-salad.html) or Apple and Cabbage Coleslaw ( http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/2012/01/apple-and-cabbage-cole-slaw.html) and fresh baked buns.

*This will serve at least 10-20 people depending how much else you are serving.

*You can increase this recipe by adding another can or two of the pork and beans.