The Best Boston Baked Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb beans
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 lb bacon or 1/2 lb salt pork
1/2 medium onion, peeled and uncut
4 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation

Use California pea beans, York State beans or small white navy beans.
Soak beans overnight. Ensure water covers the beans by 4 - 5 inches. The beans will soak up the water.
In the morning, preheat oven to 325\u00b0F
Place the baking soda in a large pot and fill half way with water. Bring to a boil and add the beans. Boil for 10 minutes. Drain beans in a colander and run cold water through them. Set aside.
Cut the bacon into 1 inch lengths. Put half of the bacon on the bottom of a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish (needs lid). Add the onion. Put beans in the casserole. Put the remaining bacon on top of the beans.
Mix the sugar, molasses, mustard, salt and pepper with 3 cups of hot water and pour over the beans. Cover the casserole with the lid and place in preheated oven.
Bake for 6 hours. Check the casserole periodically to check the amount of liquid. Add water to the beans slowly as needed to keep them moist; do not flood them.
Remove the casserole from the oven and serve.