Hearty Bean Soup

I wanted to share a recipe that is near and dear to my heart.  It is a very old   recipe that is known as "bean dish" in my family.  My mother got this recipe many years ago from one of her dearest friends.  I have grown up eating this and I think it is simply delicious.  It is very hearty and has a tart and sweet flavor.  It is so easy to make and it makes a ton. This soup is definitely a meal by itself.  Enjoy!

Hearty Bean Soup

Ingredients:
5 Pieces of uncooked bacon
1 pound of extra lean ground beef
half an onion - chopped
1 can of pork-n-beans
1 can of green lima beans
1 can of butter beans
1 can of chili beans
1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup of corn syrup
1/4 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup of mustard

Directions:
Brown the beef and onion then drain and set aside.  Cut the bacon into pieces and cook it in the same pot that you are going to cook the soup in.  Drain most of the grease from the bacon, but leave about a tablespoon of it for flavor.  Add the beef/onion mixture to the pot along with the remaining ingredients (don't drain the cans of beans).  Let this simmer for 20 minutes.  I usually add a little bit more mustard and vinegar to make it even more tart.   Serves 6-8 large portions.