Castleberry's Beans

I didn't get around to posting yesterday because I got busy wasting time on researching for an English paper that I haven't even decided a topic for yet.

This bean casserole—perfect for 4th of July, potlucks, and family dinners with grilled hamburgers (or brisket this time!)—was passed down to me by my mother and mimi. The name Castleberry comes from the brand of canned beef I use, which isn’t available here in Texas. Every trip we make to Tennessee we make sure to stock up on Castleberry Beef. If you can’t find the brand, use whatever kind of barbecue chopped beef you’d like. Lots of stores have a barbecue chopped beef available; you just may have to look around in the refrigerated section, too. The recipe says you can also used pulled pork, which we have never tried but that would probably be good, too. There is really no way to make these healthier. I’ve tried. Rinsing off the beans makes them a little less salty and using organic ketchup will cut back on the high fructose corn syrup. Just enjoy this casserole, as the flavors are excellent. If you’re adventurous, leftovers are good for bean sandwiches! Remember, everything in moderation!

Ingredients:

1 large can of pork and beans (32 oz), rinsed and drained

1 10 oz can of Castleberry Beef or Pork (about 2-2½ cups of compacted chopped beef, or a little over half a pound)

3 tbl pickle relish

1/2 c. ketchup

1/2 c. brown sugar (not packed)

1 tbl mustard

1/4-1/2 c. water

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/12 quart casserole dish. Rinse beans in colander, drain, and put in dish. Add beef, relish, ketchup, sugar, and mustard. Add enough water to thin to desired consistency. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour. To prevent the top from burning, stir after thirty minutes and watch the dish closely when it’s almost done. Or, after thirty minutes you can stir the beans and then cover for the last thirty minutes. Your choice! Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Value per serving (about 1/2 cup): 221 Cal, 5.8g Fat, 1.7g Sat. Fat, 765mg Sod, 36g Carb, 22g Sug, 5.8g Fib, 11g Protein

~Enjoy!