I think we all have friends who make a signature dish we aren’t shy to ask them to bring for a get-together or potluck. And when that friend is kind enough to share that recipe with you, it’s such a bonus knowing you don’t have to wait too long before enjoying their yummy creation again.

One of my favorite summer sides is this week’s recipe for Norma Jean’s Beans. It’s one that was handed down to me from my mother-in-law, Yolanda, which was given to her by her good friend Norma Jean Stephens. This dish is super simple, super delicious and because it is cooked off in a crock pot, there is pretty much zero work and the flavors just intensify the longer they

simmer.

Because it was sometimes hard to find the exact ingredients for the “original” recipe, Norma Jean gave two additional options when she shared this recipe. Now I will admit that I have changed her recipe up just a little bit; the original called for a whole stick of butter (plus more) which was soooo good, but so bad at the same time. But other than that, this recipe is pretty true to Norma Jean’s and the results are still oh so good, and I thank her for not keeping her tasty beans a secret from all of us.

So the next time you are asked to bring something yummy to a summertime meal, try Norma Jeans Beans. I promise it’s a recipe everybody will be asking YOU for. Enjoy!

Norma Jean’s Beans

4 tablespoons butter

1 pound pork sausage (recommend Jimmy Dean maple flavor)

1 large onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, cracked, peeled and thinly sliced

2-3 28 ounce cans Bush’s baked beans, Maple Cured Bacon Flavor

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat then add pork sausage. Cook until it starts to brown, stirring frequently and breaking up with large spoon or spatula. Add onion and garlic and sauté onion until translucent, about 10 minutes. While onions are sautéing empty the cans of beans into a large crock pot and turn on high. Once onions are sautéed and sausage is browned transfer to crock pot and stir well to combine with beans. Cover and allow to heat (on high) at least 2 hours.

Cook’s note: This recipe is foolproof and easy to improvise when you can’t find these exact ingredients. If you can’t find the maple flavored sausage, go ahead and use regular pork sausage and add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the cooked sausage and onion combination before adding to the beans.

If you have a hard time finding Maple Cured Bacon flavored beans go ahead and use original flavor. Touch of honey flavor works well too.

If serving a smaller crowd or you would just like more chunks of sausage per bite, just use two cans of beans. Or double the entire recipe for a really large crowd.