Ann's beans are the best beans! We had these a couple times a year growing up, always served with brown bread and hotdogs. Mmmmmm.
- 1 lb. dried navy or pea beans (about 2 cups)
- ½ lb. salt pork (without the rind)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- ¼ c. brown sugar, packed
- 3 Tbsp. molasses
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. dry mustard
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. baking soda
Place beans in large pot & cover with water. Heat to boiling; boil 2 min. Remove from heat & let stand 1 hour. Add water, if necessary, to cover beans; bring to boil, reduce heat & simmer 50 min. or until tender (Do not boil or beans will burst.) Drain beans, reserving liquid.
Heat oven to 300°. Cut pork into several pieces; layer with beans and onions in ungreased 2 qt. bean pot or casserole. Stir together remaining ingredients & 1 cup of reserved liquid; pour over beans. Add enough of the remaining reserved liquid (or water) to barely cover beans. Cover; bake 3 ½ to 4 hrs., removing cover for the last hour of baking time. If beans look dry during baking, stir gently.
