Active Time

　　6 hours total

　　Dried beans don’t always need to soak overnight. Just prepare them as instructed below.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

　　1 pound dried navy or great northern beans

　　2 tablespoons brown sugar

　　2 teaspoons salt

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard

　　2 tablespoons molasses

　　1/4 cup ketchup

　　1/2 cup pure maple syrup

　　2 thick strips bacon

　　

Step 1

1. In a large pan, cover the beans with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 1 hour.

　　

Step 2

2. Preheat oven to 300°F.

　　

Step 3

3. In a bowl, combine everything else except the bacon. Stir in the beans.

　　

Step 4

4. Place 1 bacon strip at the bottom of a large ovenproof dish or Dutch oven. Pour the bean mixture over it, then push the other strip in.

　　

Step 5

5. Add just enough boiling water to the pot to cover everything.

　　

Step 6

6. Cover the pot with aluminum foil, then a lid. Bake for 5 hours, checking hourly to make sure the beans aren't drying out. (Add more water as necessary to keep them submerged.) 7 Uncover for the last half hour to brown the top, if desired.