Forget the can; make your own beans

Memorial Day weekend gives you three whole days to plant your garden. Yes, folks, it’s time. But in my case, I have to clear weeds first. What drudgery!

Only picnic food can save me. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans. My mom made great baked beans. It was a simple recipe. She’d cook a pound of baby limas.  Once the beans come to a boil, I follow her method of stirring in a slight amount of baking soda to reduce the gas, er, flatulence. As you stir, green stuff with begin foaming up to the top. Rinse and continue cooking.

My mom had a simple mixture: Bacon, a jar of Turkey Brand Table Syrup and a bottle of ketchup.  I can’t find this any more in the store. It was a clear syrup that resembled corn syrup.

I’ve changed the recipe over the years, adding just a few more ingredients. Of course I don’t have exact amounts. It’s all to taste and depends if you like them sweet.

Here goes, in no particular order. Add to the cooked beans: bacon, fried with onions and shredded carrots and celery. I add carrots for their sweetness and nutrition.

Then add garlic (can’t be without it); black pepper; Worcestershire sauce; a teaspoon of mustard, half bottle of ketchup, parsley, brown sugar and pancake syrup or molasses. Simmer in oven or slow cooker.

Now it’s time to get back to weeding!