Tailgate Baked Beans

1 pound bacon, cut into 1 inch squares

1 medium onion, chopped

1 pound lean ground beef

2 cans (46 ounces each) baked beans, do not drain

½ pound brown sugar

1 bottle (40 ounces) barbecue sauce (such as Sweet Baby Rays)

½ cup Querceto Chianti Classico

½ tablespoon cumin

1 pound shredded American cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat grill to medium heat.

In a Dutch oven or cast iron pot add bacon and cook until crisp; about 10 minutes. Add chopped onions and cook about 5 minutes.

Add ground beef and break up meat until smaller chunks until browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in beans, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, wine and cumin and simmer about 1 hour. Garnish with cheese.

Makes a big batch.

Mary Beth Thornton