Baked Beans Vegetarian Style - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1 lb black beans or 1 lb pinto beans
1 small onion, chopped fine (optional)
7 cups water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoons brown sugar (and one teaspoon if you like this sweeter)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup butter

Preparation

Precook beans in boiling water for 2 minutes. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Then simmer for 1 hour until tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Mix beans with onion if using. Place beans in crock pot.
Mix 1 1/2 cup reserved liquid, brown sugar, molasses, salt and mustard. Pour over beans and dot with butter. Cover and cook for 6-12 hours on low setting.
Meat could be added as the beans are put in the crockpot, salt pork cut into chunks, or bacon as your personal preferences desire.
The crockpot can be used on high to half cooking time, but the longer slower cooking time gives the beans a truly deep and rich flavour.