MAMA'S BBQ BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees.
• 2. Fry bacon in large, deep sauté pan skillet until bacon has partially cooked and released about 1/4 cup drippings. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels.
• 3. Add onions and peppers to drippings in pan and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
• 4. Add beans and remaining ingredients bring to a simmer. (If skillet is not large enough, add beans and heat to a simmer then transfer to a large bowl and stir in remaining ingredients).
• 5. Pour the flavored beans into a greased 13x 9-inch (or similar size) ovenproof pan.
• 6. Top with bacon, then bake until beans are bubbly and sauce is the consistency of pancake syrup, about 2 hours. Let stand to thicken slightly and serve.
• 7. COOK'S NOTES: Cut the bacon slices in half, and then fry them on medium-low heat. You don't want to brown or crisp the bacon at all; the point is only to render the fat and get the bacon pieces ready to bake up and turn brown in the oven. Remove the bacon pieces once the fat is rendered, and in the name of all that is good and right, do NOT pour out the grease and clean the skillet! If you do, you'll regret it for the rest of your days. :-)