Crunchy Slaw

Due to popular request, here's the recipe for my mom's Crunchy Slaw. Yet another staple at family gatherings, just like Betsy Beans this one couldn't be easier to toss together on hot summer days.

Ingredients:
16 oz. broccoli slaw
5 green onions, sliced
2 3 oz. packages of ramen noodles, any flavor, seasoning packet reserved
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
3 Tb vinegar

Directions:

1. Mix slaw, onions and noodles, broken up into pieces, with seeds and almonds.
2. Mix together all liquid ingredients and ramen noodle seasoning packet.
3. Just before serving, toss slaw with dressing.

Betsy's Baked Beans with Bacon

In my family these are really just known as "Betsy Beans" and they're a staple at almost every cookout/party/outdoor gathering between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I wish I could take credit for them, but really they're originally the work of my mom's friend Betsy, hence the ultra creative name. They're a super yummy combination of all kinds of beans mixed together, combined with various flavorings and topped off with, what else, bacon. I made them for our first ever rooftop deck cookout and they were a huge hit. So to all you Lincoln Park Zoo 10K'ers, this one's for you! I even used turkey bacon and halved the sugar in the recipe to stay true to Team Skinny.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
2 Tb prepared mustard
2 Tb molasses
3/4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
16 oz. can kidney beans, drained
16 oz. can butter beans, drained
28 oz. can pork 'n beans

Directions:
Combine above ingredients and blend well. Cover casserole and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes more. Can be held, covered, in low oven for 1 hour.

Note: this is a great recipe to double - it fits nicely in a 9x13 party-friendly Pyrex dish