Down Home with Sue Homemade Baked Beans

I caved today and turned the air conditioning on, but no matter how hot it gets in the summer, if I want to grill, I'm grilling. With summer near, it's time to get the grill cleaned up and plan those gatherings. One dish that is easy to make and travels well is homemade baked beans.  Sure, you can doctor a can or two your way and I've done that but once you make your own, you may not go back.  The secret to the best beans is to start with a fresh bag of beans, rinse well, and allow to soak overnight. This classic recipe is cooked on the stovetop and then baked but you can use a crockpot, which I prefer.  Baked beans pair well with just about anything, and adds a touch of sweetness to the meal. I can smell them cooking now. And if you have a smoker, put those cooked beans in the smoker for about 20 mins for a even better flavor.  We are entering the season of summer foods, cooked outside, and eating alfresco is my favorite part of summer.  Bring on the burgers and beans.