The Holiday Season always seems to be a time to feed big crowds, whether it’s a gathering of the famdamnily, fishing compadres, the office, store or shop crew or just gathering with friends.
Everybody needs to take time to put your feet up, dig into some good grub and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the year’s end.
Back when we were running the barn up between Kalispell and Columbia Falls in the Flathead, we’d often host a big Holiday Season feed for barn clients and friends, typically some kind of barbecue with all the fixins, though one year the Bib’s Roasted Turkey Bone Gumbo was a major hit too.
Keeping with the Holiday Season spirit of sharing good things, friend of Chi Wulff Rick A. and I recently traded recipes – he was looking for a Bison Chili and offered up this Hog Apple Baked Beans recipe in return –
…In exchange, I’d like to share the following recipe (not mine) for Hog Apple beans…try it, you’ll say “Hot Damn!” for sure. Many variations available online of “Keri’s Hog Apple Beans,” this is from the originator of the “Keri’s” version…
Thanks Rick, we have a friend who’s been making a variation of these on the BBQ competition circuit for years; this looks like a keeper and perfect for the Holiday barbecues coming up in the next few weeks.
3 or 4 slices bacon, diced
2 (27 oz) cans Bush’s Baked Beans
1/2 c. Blues Hog BBQ Sauce (or other sweet-spicy favorite)
1 lb. smoked pork or beef (approx.) or 1 lb crumbled cooked pork sausage (maple is good)
1 can apple pie filling, pieces somewhat chopped up
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. Mustard (prepared)
1 tsp. chipotle or cayenne powder (optional, to taste*)
1 tsp. Blues Hog barbecue rub (or your favorite de jour)
Sauté time. Brown bacon, and sauté onion and green pepper in bacon grease.
Mix in remaining ingredients.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour (or simmer on stovetop in large pot for 30 minutes if you don’t have time to do them in the oven.)
Serves a dozen hungry eaters as a warm or cold side.
Enjoy.
