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1
Line four 8x8x2-inch baking pans with heat-resistant freezer wrap.
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Allow enough extra wrap to fold over top.
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Use one pan for each six servings or one-fourth of the recipe.
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Do not line pans for food to be served without freezing.
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Add beans to boiling water; return to boiling.
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Boil beans 2 minutes;then soak beans 1 hour (or overnight, if preferred).
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Add salt to beans.
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Cook beans slowly until tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
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Drain; save cooking liquid.
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Cook onion and green pepper in fat about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Stir in flour and mustard.
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Add enough milk to the reserved bean liquid to make 1 1/2 quarts.
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Add the bean liquid and milk slowly to the vegetable mixture.
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Cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
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Stir in beans, cheese, and ham.
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Pour one-fourth of mixture into each baking pan.
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Pack food tightly to avoid air pockets.
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TO SERVE WITHOUT FREEZING: Preheat oven to 375F.
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(moderate).
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Mix 1/4 cup fine breadcrumbs with 1 Tbs melted butter or margarine for each pan which will not be frozen.
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Sprinkle topping over bean mixture in baking pan.
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Bake 30 minutes or until crumbs are lightly browned.
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TO FREEZE: Cool for 30 minutes at room temperature.
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Complete wrapping by pulling paper up over top of food.
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Put edges of wrap together and fold several times so paper lies directly on top of food.
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Fold ends of freezer wrap over the top and seal with freezer tape.
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Label with name of food, date of freezing, and last date the food should be used for best eating quality (about 6 months).
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Freeze immediately for 10 to 12 hours before removing packages from the pans.
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TO HEAT FROZEN FOOD: Preheat oven to 375F.
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30
Remove freezer wrap.
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Place food in baking pan.
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32
Mix 1/4 cup fine breadcrumbs with 1 Tbs melted butter or margarine for each pan.
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Sprinkle topping over bean mixture in baking pan.
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Bake 1 1/2 hours or until edges are bubbly, crumbs are lightly browned, and center is hot.