NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Fire Up the Grill and Celebrate National Baked Beans Month

As summer heats up, chances are you'll be hosting a barbecue for family and friends. This season, don't forget America's favorite side dish, baked beans. Considering that Americans consume over six million gallons of baked beans (enough to wrap almost halfway around the moon[1]) it's no surprise July owns the title of National Baked Beans Month.

Sweeten-up your next cookout by preparing Honey Grilled Apples with Baked Beans. This delicious dish provides a creative way to serve baked beans and promises to make your next barbecue a hit!

Honey Grilled Apples with Baked Beans

Created by Jack McDavid, chef and owner of Jack's Firehouse Restaurant in Philadelphia

Serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

1 can (28 ounces) BUSH'S® Honey Baked Beans
1 pound smoked kielbasa sausage, diced
1 cup onions, diced
9 extra large Granny Smith apples
Salt and pepper to taste

In large bowl, mix together baked beans, sausage and onions and set aside.

Slice off tops of apples, reserve tops. With melon-baller, hollow out insides and discard pulp.

Peel and dice remaining apple and add to reserved bean mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Stuff apples with bean mixture.

Wrap each apple in aluminum foil and place over indirect heat on side of grill for 20 minutes or until heated through. Allow to cool for 4 minutes, remove foil, place tops on apples and serve.

About Bush's Baked Beans

Bush's Baked Beans, America's favorite brand of baked beans, is widely recognized for its lovable commercials featuring Jay Bush and his talking dog Duke, who always threatens to reveal the Secret Family Recipe.

Founded in 1908, Bush Brothers & Company is based in Knoxville, Tenn. In addition to the famous baked beans, it offers more than 20 varieties of other beans including kidney, pinto and black. Today, Bush Brothers & Company is still family owned and operated, working for the same ideals that were set forth by A.J. Bush nearly 100 years ago -- ensuring the highest quality and best taste can be found in all their products. Bush's sells one-third of all canned beans in the U.S., making it the top bean brand in the country.

[1]Numbers determined by baked beans pound sales (more than 35 million) two weeks ending July 12, 2005.