Side Dishes, Vegetables

Boston Baked Beans

  • 1 pound Dried small white beans,
  • ~ Soaked overnight
  • 6 cups Water
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 large Onion
  • 8 ounces Salt pork, soaked in cold water for
  • ~ 3 hours, drained and thickly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons Molasses
  • 1 tablespoon Dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper

    • One of the most famous dishes in the United States, Boston Baked Beans predatesthe Revolution. Traditionally , it usedto be baked in the oven with the week'sbread.

    Put the beans in a large saucepan and add enough water just to cover. Stir in half the salt and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, half-cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain the beans and discard the liquid.

    Preheatthe oven to very cool 250º F.

    Put the onion on the bottom of a large flameproofcasserole or bean pot. Add a layer of beans then arrange a layer of salt pork slices over the beans. Add the remaining beans, topped by the remaining salt pork.

    Mix the sugar, molasses, mustard, black pepper and remaining salt together andspoon over the mixture. Add enough boiling water to cover. Cover and put the casserole in the oven. Bake for 5 hours, adding boiling water from time to time sothat the beans remain covered.

    Remove the cover and bake the beans for an additional 45 minutes, or until a slight crust has formed on top. Serve at once.

    Makes 6 to 8 servings.

    TIPS: This can also be made in a Crock-Pot. Pour ingredients in pot cover crock pot and set at high until contents are bubbling, usually about 30 minutes, then cook at low for 6 to 8 hours, or until your feel the beans are done. As they cook, the beans turn a brownish red--a more pronounced color in the oven than in the Crock-Pot.

    May be baked several days in advance; let cool uncovered, then cover and chill

    This recipe courtesy of the From My Kitchen Cookbook. 

    Contributed by Ronald Walton of New York, New York. 

    Visit http://www.frommykitchen.net and get your copy of From My Kitchen: Internet-ready recipe software.  Your kitchen will never be the same!