Embrace Winter with Delicious Calico Beans

Hi, it's Alaska Granny here! Although it's still winter, the sun is making its return, and it's the perfect time to celebrate winter festivals. In Anchorage, we celebrate events like the Fur Rendezvous and the Iditarod. Perhaps you have similar events in your area, making it a great time to cook a hearty dish like Calico Beans.

What Are Calico Beans?

Calico Beans are a delightful mix of various beans, creating a colorful and tasty dish. You can use any beans you have on hand, which makes it a perfect recipe for rotating your food storage stockpile. Today, I'll share a simple and delicious Calico Beans recipe.

Simple Calico Beans Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 can of three-bean mixture
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 can of baked beans
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 cup of ketchup
• 4 tablespoons of bacon bits (or fresh bacon if available)
• 2 tablespoons of dried onion (or 1/2 cup of chopped fresh onion)
• 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon of white vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Open all the cans of beans but do not drain them.
3. Combine all the ingredients in a large, oven-safe bowl or casserole dish.
4. Stir well to mix everything together.
5. Bake in the oven for about an hour. If your dish is deep, you might need to bake it for an hour and a half until it's bubbly on top.

Serving Suggestions

Once your Calico Beans are done, consider topping them with:

• Chopped jalapeños
• Chopped fresh onion
• Grated cheese
• A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt

Alternatively, enjoy them just as they are!

Variations and Cooking Methods

For a variation, you can make Cowboy Beans by adding cooked ground beef. You can also cook this dish in different ways:

• On the stove: Simmer for about 20 minutes.
• In a crockpot: Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

Using Dried Beans

If you prefer using dried beans, here are some useful conversions:

• 1/2 cup of dry beans = 15 oz can of beans
• 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans = 15 oz can of beans
• 1 pound of dry beans = approximately 3 cans of beans
• 1 1/2 pounds of dried beans = a #10 can of cooked beans

Share Your Tips

Do you have tips for making Calico Beans or other recipes for rotating your food storage stockpile? Leave your tips in the comments below. Sharing knowledge helps us all make the most of our food supplies.

Keep Your Pantry Fresh

Remember, your prepper pantry is a working pantry. Regularly use and rotate your foods to ensure they stay fresh and ready for use.