Apple and Sausage Baked Beans

In my life I've had baked beans with ground sausage mixed in and it is very tasty and adds a richness and substance to an otherwise boring BBQ side dish, but traditionally it's also high fat/cholesterol and of course not kind to the animal it took to make that sausage!

I created this recipe for baked beans with veggie sausage, and also snuck in a finely diced apple to add to the sweetness and nutrients - it is fried up with onion and you can't even tell it's apple in there! 

One more serving of fruit to add to your daily intake without even knowing it!  And it's yummy!  My toddler kept asking for "more beans" at dinner with emphatic pointing, and that's saying a lot!

Depending on what amount of baked beans you are eating, adjust the quantities, but here are the basics
(add more apple, onion or veggie sausage depending on how big/how many cans of baked beans you use):

1 Can Vegetarian Baked Beans
1 Apple, finely diced (I used the Ninja to finely dice, with peel on)
1/2 White or Yellow Onion, finely diced (Ninja)
1/2 c. Veggie Sausage (Morningstar makes a sausage crumble, just microwave it heat)
http://www.morningstarfarms.com/products_meal-starters-sausage-style-recipe-crumbles.aspx

In a large saucepan sprayed with cooking spray, fry the onion and apple, adding a little water, if necessary to prevent sticking

Add in veggie sausage crumbles and fry a few minutes longer

Pour in a can of vegetarian baked beans and stir

That's it!

Ready to serve at your next BBQ!