Slow-Cooked Bean Medley

I love to try new recipes. I get most of them from Taste of Home magazine....or your blogs. Here are a few of my favorites that I've tried recently (or been asked for the recipes). Hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

You can use any combination of beans in this recipe. I didn't use the black eyed peas or lima beans. I substituted an extra can of kidney beans and a bag of frozen edemame (soy beans for those who don't know...). I also used frozen corn instead of canned corn. I just like it better.

• 1-1/2 cups ketchup
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) lima beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

Directions

• In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 12 ingredients. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or until onion and peppers are tender. Discard bay leaves. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 255 calories, 4 g fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 942 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 9 g protein.

Slow-Cooked Bean Medley published in Taste of Home June/July 2008,