Thursday, January 19, 2012

Technical Difficulties!

So my camera was being a huge diva. I had taken, or so I thought, quite a few pictures of my process only to find out later that certain ones weren't taken. Ugh!!
So I apologize for the lack of pictures in this recipe. Hopefully you will get the picture(pun!).
This recipe will have to be made again, because we didn't eat it(not that I ever would)! I made it for a friend in church that recently had a little boy. When we took it to them my husband looked a teensy bit jealous.
Hearty Calico Bean Bake
I am not sure why it is called calico, but I assumes its because of the many different types of beans.
I got the recipe from this new cookbook I got from Powell's Book store in Portland, Oregon. It was a cool store with tons of cheap books. I know it is more to others, so they can describe it better!






Ingredients

1 can(16 oz) pork and beans undrained, 1 can (16 oz) Kidney beans rinsed and drained, 1 can (16 0z) chili beans undrained, 1 can (15 1/2 oz) great northern beans rinsed and drained, 1 can (14 1/2)cut wax beans drained, 1 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups cubed fully cooked ham, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1 small chopped onion, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce


A few notes on the ingredients. The Great Northern Beans, I had never heard of previously. It took me a good ten minutes staring at all the beans in the aisle until I saw 2 cans way at the top. It was pretty impossible to see. The ham, was interesting as well. I thought I would just buy the pre-cut stuff that is made for breakfast omelets. Way too expensive! It was like $5 for one! So even though "Ham in water product" sounds super gross, it worked great, with tons of leftover. The onion is huge, amirite? I got a bigger one because I needed onion for an upcoming recipe.





Directions

In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Transfer to a greased 3 quart baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until bubbly and heated through. Pretty simple, huh? The following pictures(or lack there of)show the process!

I had taken a few pics of how I cut the ham, since this chunk was way more then what I needed. But I spose you can cut it however you want!


My awesome manual food processor! I always use it to chop onions now. Since I have no idea how to do it properly with a knife. That's why its called "Pampered Chef".




I tried an action shot, but I was also trying to deter my cat from jumping on the counter because he was trying to get some ham. So imagine me with a camera in one hand, onion container in the other and one leg in the air trying to block my cat from jumping on the counter. It was dangerous.



Beans are so nasty.







I love my wooden spoon. My mom got it for me and its just really fun to mix things with. Can't explain it really, it just is!




And well there you have it. My stupid camera didn't take the completed picture, but I hope you can get it. And I know its not a cute baking dish, but since I was taking it too someones house I didn't want to have her worrying about getting a glass dish back to me.

Here is a picture of it from the taste of home website.


And I will leave you with some pictures of my kitchen companion, Rufus.



When he isn't crawling under my step stool, trying to attack my feet, he is standing on it, trying to score some ham.


The look on his face says, "Mmmmm Ham."

1 comment:

  1. Love the dialogue!! You make cooking sound so fun, not that I will ever be convinced - but I love your blog.
    The tilted picture looks like it's going to slide off your counter :)
    Rufus is adorable, as usual

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