Cowboy Country and Cowboy Baked Beans

 Cowboy Country  

Hacienda de la Canoa Tour

Canoa Ranch in Green Valley, AZ was a working cattle ranch from 1820 to the 1970s. At its peak, the ranch controlled more than 500,000 acres. Pima County bought the 4,800-acre ranch property, about 25 miles south of Tucson, in 2001 with the goal of making it a public site and nature refuge. Today, historic ranch buildings and numerous archaeological sites remain. Visitors are led on guided tours through the historic ranch that was once home to Native Americans, Spaniards, Mexicans, and Americans at various points in history. It gives visitors insights into the fascinating stories of those who lived and worked on the ranch. The ranch often hosts outdoor concerts, events, and presentations. 

Below is a scenic view of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Note that the Santa Cruz River is usually a dry river bed unless heavy rains are likely to occur in late July, August, and even September. Since we are not here during those months, I have only seen the river once, full and running from a video I saw.   

After a six-month stay in cowboy country, it's not hard for me to reimagine life and the challenges of cooking back in the 1800s. I'm so happy it's 2024, with a variety of foods readily available. With family gatherings, several holidays approaching, and summer adventures, it is good to have a side recipe your guests will enjoy. 

 This recipe has a few customization options. I decided to turn mine into a walking taco with all the trimmings. But the recipe makes a flavorful side for a grilled meal that can be baked in the oven or in a crockpot. 

The recipe serves 6 and was adapted from therecipecritic.com

COWBOY BAKED BEANS

Main Ingredients:

•  1/2 pound of bacon, halved  (used thick sliced Applewood) 
• 1-1/2 cups diced sweet onions
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (85 %)  
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 can each rinsed and drained, kidney beans, pinto, cannellini

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays brand)  
• 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons chili powder (taste test)  
• 1-1/2 cups ketchup 
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
•  2 tablespoons yellow mustard
•  1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar 
• 2 cups water

Directions:

• Make sauce ahead by whisking ingredients together and set aside.
• In an oven-safe pan or Dutch Oven pan on the stovetop, fry bacon until crisp. Toward the end of the frying time, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook with bacon, and when done, remove everything from the pan to a paper towel-lined towel plate. Crumble the bacon. 
• Wipe the grease from the pan and add the ground beef. Cook and crumble the meat, adding the desired salt and pepper amount. 
• Pat meat dry from grease in the pan and mix in the sauce mixture. 
• Cover and cook for 40 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees, or transfer the beans to a crock pot for 3 hours on low. 

Option 1: Serve the bean mixture in a bowl with toppings, including shredded   

cheese, chopped chiles, and chopped tomatoes.

Option 2. Walking Tacos 

Remove the chips from individual Frito Lay bags. When adding the bean mixture to the Frito Lay bag, drain some of the bean liquid with a slotted spoon. Add your 

preferred toppings and some crumbled Frito chips to the bag. 

Looking for a sweet treat with this? Try Cowboy Cookies 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/01/cowboy-cookies.html