posted by techgoddess 08-21-101 7:42 PM
Old Fashioned Baked Beans
2 lb. dried navy beans
1 tsp. soda
1 medium onion, sliced
1 tbsp. salt
4 tsp. cider vinegar
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup tomato catsup
1/8 tsp. black pepper
3/4 lb. salt pork, sliced
Wash beans thoroughly and put them in a 4-qt. saucepan. Add enough water to come 2 inches above beans and soak overnight. Next morning, drain. Cover with fresh cold water, add soda and bring to boil.
Put the onion in bottom of bean pot or deep casserole with all the rest of the seasonings. Add the hot beans and liquid with boiling water to barely cover. Lay strips of salt pork over top, cover and bake in a very slow oven (250 degrees F.) until beans are tender, 9 to 10 hours, adding more boiling water as liquid evaporates. Remove cover and bake one hour longer to let salt pork become crisp and brown. Serve piping hot, plain or with catsup or chili sauce. 10 to 12 servings.
Variation: If sweeter baked beans are desired, add 1/4 cup more of both brown sugar and molasses along with the seasonings. This also gives a richer brown color, which is preferred by some people.
Source: The Modern Family Cookbook (1953)