

I love slow food. And bacon. And nothing compares to beans steeped in bacon for hours and hours. YUM. I made this and some Irish soda bread to feed us for the next few days. Got the bean recipe from my standby coffee table book "Heritage of America" (Better Homes and Gardens). I highly recommend you pick up a copy!
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Boston Baked Beans with Pancetta
While Boston gets the credit for this dish, it was actually popular throughout the colonies. Since it could be made a day ahead, it was a favorite with those whose religion restricted work on the Sabbath. For a more traditional dish, use salt pork instead of pancetta or bacon.
Makes 10-12 servings
1 lb dry navy beans OR dry great northern beans (2 1/3 Cups) (I used northern)
8 cups cold water
6 oz pancetta (Italian bacon) or bacon, cut up
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 ounces pancetta or bacon, cooked crisp and drained (optional)
Rinse beans. In a 4 1/2-quart Dutch oven combine beans and cold water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. (OR, skip boiling the water and soak beans overnight in a covered pan.) Drain and rinse beans.
In the same pan combine beans and 8 cups fresh water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 1 1/4 hours or till tender, stirring occasionally. Drain beans, reserving liquid. In the same pan, cook the 6 oz pancetta or bacon until slightly crisp. Add onion to bacon and drippings; cook and stir till tender. Add brown sugar. Cook and stir till sugar dissolves. Stir in molasses, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and pepper. Add drained beans and 1 cup of the reserved bean liquid (*KEEP THE REST OF THE LIQUID FOR BAKING). If desired, transfer to a bean pot.
Cover and bake in a 300 degree oven for 2 1/4 o 2 1/2 hours or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. If necessary, add additional reserved bean liquid*. If desired, sprinkle with cooked pancetta or bacon before serving.