Mama's BBQ Baked Beans

I can't get enough of my Mama's BBQ Baked Beans. They're sweet, salty and paired beautifully with our Memorial Day BBQ hamburgers.  They are ridiculously easy and fast to prepare.  It doesn't really matter what kind of beans you use for this.  Whatever is in your pantry will most likely work.  Just throw them in the oven so all those fabulous flavors can thicken and meld together and two hours later come some tasty, soulful baked beans.

Getting more sentimental in my growing age, this Memorial Day helped me realized how courageous and strong the men who served in my family have been... and an added plus - all SURVIVED tough and frightening wars (2 Grandpas in World War II, 2 Uncles in Vietnam and 1 Cousin in Iraq).  Cheers to you all!

What you'll need: serves 6-8

3 16 oz. cans of whole beans (Mama used Pinto, Chili and Pork and Beans)
4 strips of applewood smoked bacon (cut in small pieces)
1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
1/2 yellow bell pepper (diced)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup any BBQ sauce
2 tbsp mustard

In a pan over medium heat, slightly cook the bacon for about 5 mins.  Throw in the onions and bell pepper and saute (in the bacon juices) for another 5-10 mins or just until the onions become clear.  Throw in the canned beans with about half of the cans' juice.  Sometimes adding all the juice from the can can make the beans watery or will take longer to bake in the oven.  Add in the brown sugar, ketchup, bbq sauce and mustard.  Stir together.  Transfer the beans into a oven safe pot.  Throw into a 350 degrees oven and bake for about 2 hours or until the juices have thickened.  Serve hot!