Regarding the Calico Beans: Do I slice the sausage into discs before browning?
I slice.
Mrs. ZCZ original recipe did not have sausage, as I recall.
I had another bean recipe that had thin slices of kielbasa as a ingredient.(YUM) I added the ingredient to my Calico beans. I usually shop for Johnsonville, as it's all pork.
I just slice some thinly off the log and then brown them up in either the hamburger renderings or some of the bacon grease.
I too haven't seen much of Campbell's on the shelves. I'm thinkin that Bush's Original would be a good replacement. I do not drain these