APPALACHIAN CIDER BAKED BEANS

Appalachian Cider Baked Beans image

Provided by zeldaz51

Categories Beans

Time 6h45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 cups dried pinto beans
3 cups fresh apple cider
8 ounces salt pork, thinly sliced (thick-cut bacon is an alternative)
2 small yellow onions, peeled and left whole
6 tablespoons molasses, preferably sorghum molasses
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons salt

Steps:

Pick over the beans, discarding any stones and wrinkled beans. Rinse well and place in a large bowl. Add cold water to cover by 3 inches, cover, and let soak for 12 hours.
Drain the beans and transfer them to a heavy saucepan. Add the cider and slowly bring the beans to a boil over medium heat. Gently boil, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid.
Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C).
Layer half of the salt pork slices on the bottom of a 2-quart ceramic bean pot or other deep baking dish, such as a Dutch oven. Spoon the beans into the pot and then bury the onions in the beans.
In a small saucepan, combine the molasses, dry mustard, and salt and place over medium heat until the mustard and salt dissolve into the molasses. Pour the mixture evenly over the beans and top with the remaining salt pork slices. Add the reserved cooking liquid to the pot. Add hot water as needed to cover the beans with liquid. Cover the pot.
Bake for 4 hours, then uncover the pot and add more water (or cider) if the beans seem dry. Recover and continue to bake for 1 to 2 hours, until the beans are tender. Serve hot, directly from the bean pot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 519, Fat 24.1, SaturatedFat 8.5, Cholesterol 24.4, Sodium 1013.4, Carbohydrate 58.6, Fiber 11.6, Sugar 10.7, Protein 17.3