Today we have a special guest joining us, Teena Anderson - the Anoka Grilling Queen from Anoka Meats! Teena owns Anoka Meat and Sausage, a full-time grill located outside her butcher shop. But her journey to becoming the Grilling Queen was not always on the menu. Teena reinvented herself after leaving the corporate world and living in a diner for 20 years. Now, she's a thriving entrepreneur in the culinary world. Today, we'll dive into Teena's fascinating story - from starting a small salad business to taking over Anoka Meat and Sausage. Plus, we'll explore her love for cooking, her passion for specialty ingredients. Get ready to fire up the grill and join us as we uncover the secrets of the Anoka Grilling Queen on this episode of Makers of Minnesota!

Here is the recipe for Teena's Cowboy Beans from her Blog

Ingredients

* 4 pound cooked ground hamburger 85/15

* 1 lb bacon or ends & pieces, loosely chopped

* 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

* 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, drained

* 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans

* 1 (15 ounce) can garbaonzo or black bean beans, drained

* 1 (15 ounce can) great northern beans

* 1 (15 ounce can) navy beans

* 2 (28 ounce) can pork and beans, drained

* 1 large onion, chopped

* 1 Tablespoon minced garlic

* 3 cup dark brown sugar + to taste

* 2/3 cup ketchup

* 1/2 cup vinegar

* 1/2 cup dijon

* 1 Tbsp Kosher Salt

* 1 Tbsp Pepper

* Optional: diced green pepper

Directions

* Heat a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir bacon, onion, and garlic until bacon is browned, about 10 minutes. Pour off excess fat.

* Brown hamburger with the salt and pepper until done. Combine the browned hamburger with bacon & onions in an electric toaster or large crock pot.

* Whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup and dijon then pour mixture over the hamburger.

* Make this in a large crockpot by adding all the ingredients together and cook on high for 1 hours, then turning to low until ready to eat.

* The electric roaster heats a little faster, so once all ingredients are combined, turn heat to 250-300 and warm to a bubble for 1/2 hour or so just to ensure all ingredients are hot and everything is thoroughly cooked.

* Cool and reheat the next day or serve right away.

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