Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Rinse beans.
  2. In a 4 1/2 quart Dutch oven combine beans and 8 cups cold water.
  3. Bring to boiling, reduce heat, simmer for 2 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour.
  5. (Or, skip bioling the water and soak beans overnight in a covered pan.) Drain and rinse beans.
  6. In the same pan combine beans and 8 cups fresh water.
  7. Bring to a boil, reduce heat.
  8. Cover and simmer about 1 1/4 hours or till tender, stirring occasionally.
  9. Drain beans, reserving liquid.
  10. In a 2 1/2 quart casserole or bean pot combine the beans, bacon and onion.
  11. Stir in 1 cup of the reserved bean liquid, the molasses or maple syrup, brown sugar, dry mustard, salt, and pepper.
  12. Bake, covered, in a 300 degree oven about 2 1/2 hours or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally.
  13. If necessary, add additional reserved bean liquid.