Preparation:
We based our recipe on Boston baked beans, a dish popular with early. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 10 cups water and the beans to boiling in Dutch oven. Boil uncovered 2 minutes. Mix in remaining ingredients except 3 cups water. Cover and bake 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in 3 cups water.
Bake uncovered 2 to 2-1/2 hours longer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and of desired consistency. Because the early Puritans couldn't cook on their Sabbath--sundown on Saturday to sundown Sunday--they needed a dish that could keep easily on the hearth. Beans with brown bread became a standard Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast, earning Boston the name Bean Tow |
