It's November Nosh! With the holiday season upon us, our 4-H team is sharing some of their favorite recipes from their own family gatherings.
By Tabitha Surface, 4-H Extension Agent

 
My Maw-Maw Dottie was the light and life of our family and a party. She wasn’t, however, a great cook. In fact, it was a family joke (and a fact!) that she burnt something at every meal. She did, however, make three foods better than anybody else: Buckeyes, baked beans, and chocolate cake. 
 
Since she’s been gone, different family members have picked up the Buckeye Christmas tradition. We’ve all tried, and failed, to recreate her chocolate cake. We’ve even used her oven and her bunt pan, so I can only guess the missing ingredient is her because she swore it was just a box cake made with love. 
 
We have, however, preserved her baked beans. They’ve become so famous people who never had the chance to meet her ask for me or family members to bring “Maw-Maw Dottie’s Baked Beans” to holiday potlucks or barbecues. 
 
My secret: I hate beans! Baked beans, refried beans, black beans—I’ve never liked the texture of a bean in my mouth. Yet, I eat two tablespoons of her baked beans at the holidays because they’re that delicious and because they remind me of her, as does my tendency to cook very imperfect meals, just like Maw-Maw.
 

Ingredients

  • 2 cans pork 'n beans
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. dried onion
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. bacon bits
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tsp. bacon grease
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. mustard
  • Sliced bacon (uncooked)
 

Tools

  • Glass baking dish
  • Spoon
 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
  2. In glass baking dish, mix all ingredients except sliced bacon.
  3. Place slices of bacon in a single layer on top of the mixture.
  4. Bake, uncovered, for 45-55 minutes.