New England Baked Beans

One thing that I think is needed at every cookout is baked beans. This Taste of Home recipe is a great one in my opinion starts with dried beans and takes them through to that delicious baked bean taste.

1 pound dried great northern beans


1/2 pound thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped

2 large onions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups ketchup

1-1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup molasses

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Sort beans and rinse with cold water. Place beans in a Dutch oven; add enough water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour or until beans are softened. Drain and rinse beans, discarding liquid. Return beans to Dutch oven; add 6 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are almost tender. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. Saute onions in drippings until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, syrup, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Drain beans, reserving cooking liquid; place in an ungreased 3-qt. baking dish. Stir in onion mixture and bacon. Cover and bake at 300° for 2-1/2 hours or until beans are tender and reach desired consistency, stirring every 30 minutes. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed. Yield: 12 servings (2/3 cup each).