Maple Baked Beans Recipe

Maple Baked Beans

http://www.ivillage.ca/food/recipes/maple-baked-beans

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

1 pound dried navy or great northern beans

2 tablespoons  molasses

2 tablespoons  brown sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 strips thick-cut bacon (optional ) 

2 tablespoons  spicy brown mustard

Directions: 

1. In a large pot, cover the beans with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 1 hour, drain. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

2.  In a bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except the bacon. Stir in the beans. Place 1 strip of bacon at the bottom of a large ovenproof dish, Dutch oven or antique bean pot that your mom gave you.

3.  Pour the bean mixture over it, then push the other strip of bacon into the beans. Add just enough boiling water to the pot to cover everything. Cover the pot with aluminum foil, then the lid. 

4. Bake 5 hours, checking every hour or so to make sure the beans aren't drying out. (Add more water as necessary to keep them submerged.)