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Maine Baked Beans

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Bean Soaking Time 8 hours

Equipment

  • 1 large bowl to soak the beans
  • 1 large soup pot to parboil the beans
  • 1 bean pot or other deep dish ovenproof baking pot. Dutch oven works well
  • 1 large measuring bowl or pitcher to mix the wet ingredients and add water to the beans while baking

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Soldier Beans
  • 1/2 pound salt pork
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 to 2/3 cup molasses
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 dash of salt (to taste)
  • 1 medium onion optional

Instructions
 

  • Pick over the beans and soak them overnight in cold water.
  • In the morning, parboil the beans until the skins crack when blown upon.
  • If an onion is used, cut in quarters and put in the bottom of the bean pot.
  • Add the parboiled beans. (Some folks drain the beans and others use the bean water.
  • Cut through the rind of the salt pork to a depth of 1/2 inch, and place the pork on top of the beans.
  • Mix the sugar, molasses, mustard, pepper, and salt with 1 pint of boiling water. Pour this over the beans and pork. If necessary, add more boiling water to cover.
  • Bake at 300ยบ for 6 hours or more, adding more boiling water as the beans cook.

Notes

Serve with steamed brown bread or hot Johnny Cakes.