Jamaican Baked Beans - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups white pea beans, dried
1 quart water
3/4 lb salt pork, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
water
1 teaspoon salt
1 small onion
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup dark rum
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon black pepper, ground
1 pinch thyme

Preparation

Soak the dry beans in the first measure of water overnight.
Stud the onion with the whole cloves.
Soak the salt pork in water to cover for 2 hours.
Drain the beans. Place them in a large kettle. Add water to reach 2\" above the beans. Add the salt. Bring to a boil.
Lower the heat. Simmer until the beans are barely tender (30-40 minutes). Drain well.
Preheat the oven to 250x.
Place the clove-studded onion in the center of an earthenware casserole. Cover with half the beans (form a layer). Add half the salt pork (in a layer). Add the remaining beans (in a layer). Top with the remaining salt pork (in a layer).
Combine the sugar, rum, mustard, pepper and thyme. Add to the beans.
Add boiling water to barely cover. Cover the casserole tightly.
Bake until tender (4-5 hours), adding boiling water as needed to keep the beans moist. Uncover.
Cook 30 minutes longer - do not add any more water. Serve hot.