GRAMMY CARL'S RULE FOR BAKED BEANS

Grammy Carl's Rule For Baked Beans image

Provided by Nancy Fuller

Time 16h

Yield 12 to 14 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pound dried navy beans
8 ounces salt pork
1 large onion, chopped
3/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Put the beans in a large bowl or pot with water to cover and soak at room temperature overnight.
The next day, dice half the salt pork and leave the other half in 1 piece. Drain the beans and put them in a large Dutch oven with the whole piece of salt pork and enough water to cover, about 1 quart. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover, and simmer until soft, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain the beans, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put the diced salt pork in another large Dutch oven (or clean the first one) and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent and slightly crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion, molasses, ketchup, dry mustard, cooked beans and enough of the reserved cooking liquid to cover the beans. If necessary, add more water to cover the beans.
Bake, covered, until the beans are soft to the tooth and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 hours. When finished, season with some salt and pepper and serve hot.