A combination of recipes by the name of Boston Baked Beans, Maine Baked Beans, and simply Baked Beans. In New England, "beans and brown bread" is a traditional supper served on Saturday night. No need for meat, although ham or hot dogs may accompany the beans. Baked beans in New England generally include salt pork for body and molasses or brown sugar for sweetening, although maple syrup may also be used. (See Maple Cider Baked Beans too.)
Be sure to start your beans soaking the night before... that helps alleviate one of the standard byproducts of eating beans!
INGREDIENTS
2 lb dry beans ("State of Maine" brand is good)
1/4 - 1/2 lb salt pork
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 - 2/3 c molasses
1 Tbsp - 4 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp pepper
1 medium onion (optional)
Wash the beans.
Put beans into a stockpot, cover with plenty of water, and soak overnight. (The beans will swell as they soak up the water.)
In the morning, drain the beans, replace the water to cover well, then simmer for 3/4 - 1 hour. Skins should crack when blown upon. (Hint: add a pinch of baking soda for the last minute, stirring to distribute. This will make the beans easier to digest.)
Preheat oven to 300°.
Peel the onion, quarter it if you'd like, and put it in the bottom of the bean pot.
Add the beans.
Cut through the rind of the salt pork to a depth of 1/2", and place on top of the beans.
Mix the sugar, molasses, dry mustard, and pepper with 2 cups boiling water. (Many recipes use the liquid from the beans, but don't do this if you added baking soda.)
Pour this over the beans and, if necessary, add more boiling water to cover.
Bake 6 hours or more, adding more boiling water as the beans cook. Uncover for the last 1/2 hour so that the salt port will become brown and crisp.
Serve with steamed brown bread or hot Johnny Cake.
We like pea beans, navy beans, small white beans, great soldier beans, kidney beans, and yellow eyes. The quantities listed above fill one large, traditional bean pot. (Beans may be frozen in freezer-proof containers.) If you have a smaller bean pot, use only 1 pound of beans and halve the rest of the ingredients.