Hickory House Baked Beans

Serves 4 to 6

½ large red or green bell pepper

2 15-ounce cans, drained or 3 to 3½ cups drained cooked pinto or navy beans

1 cup barbecue sauce

2 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon worcestershire

Preheat oven to 375 degree. Stem and seed bell pepper, cut into quarter-inch pieces, and put into a 2-quart or 8” x 8” baking dish. Add beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and half cup water to dish and mix well.

Drizzle worcestershire sauce on top. Bake until top is glazed-looking and browned, the beans start to peek up from the liquid, and the liquid is bubbling vigorously around the edges, 45-60 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Source: Rick Bayless.

Cook’s notes: I used a cast-iron skillet, which reduced the cook time to 35 minutes. I also used one can of pinto beans and one can of navy beans. My vegetarian wife loved the exclusion of bacon, and I didn’t miss it at all.