1 lb Navy Beans 1/3 cup molasses
6 cups water 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 lb salt pork, cut in 1/2 inch pieces 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 small onion, peeled



Soak beans overnight with the 6 cups of water in a large kettle. The next day add the 1/2 tsp baking soda to the beans. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Drain beans in a colander set over a large bowl and reserve the liquid. Put the salt pork, onions and beans in a stoneware bean pot or a casserole dish. In a small bowl combine the molasses, sugar, dry mustard and pepper. Stir in 1 cup of the reserves liquid, then stir this mixture into the beans. Add enough of the reserved liquid to cover the beansabout 1 cup. Cover the casserole/beanpot and bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours. Thoroughly stir in the remaining cup of reserved liquid, cover and bake another 11/2 to 2 hours until the beans are tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Serves 8 Traditional New England Style Baked Beans. This comforting, homey dish is delightfully flavored with salt pork molasses, onion, dry mustard and sugar. Boston baked beans have been made this way for centuries and never contain even a hint of tomato! They are the perfect picnic food and pair well with grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs or just served up with a side of cornbread!