Baked Beans with Molasses

Name: Baked Beans with Molasses
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 5 h 30 min
Total time: 6 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 480 g Dried white beans; 227 g Bacon; 1 pcs Onion; 120 ml Molasses; 60 g Brown sugar; 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp Dry mustard powder; to taste Salt; to taste Black pepper

A classic Canadian dish of white beans baked in the oven with fragrant molasses, brown sugar, and bacon. A thick caramel sauce and tender beans make the perfect side dish to meat or a standalone meal.

Ingredients

480 g Dried white beans
227 g Bacon
1 pcs Onion
120 ml Molasses
60 g Brown sugar
2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dry mustard powder
to taste Salt
to taste Black pepper

Instructions

Place the rinsed dried beans in a pot (preferably cast iron) and cover with 1.5 liters of water. Leave overnight to soak.
Drain the water, then cover the beans again with fresh water so it rises 5 cm above the beans, and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes until the beans are soft but still hold their shape. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid, and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 160°C. While it heats, chop the bacon and fry it in the pot over medium heat until the fat renders and it begins to brown lightly. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
Return the beans to the pot, add the molasses, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dry mustard powder, salt and pepper to taste, along with 750 ml of reserved bean cooking liquid. Stir well.
Place the pot in the oven and bake uncovered for 3–5 hours until the beans are completely tender, the sauce thickens, and the edges of the pot begin to dry out and caramelize. If the beans dry out during baking, add another 250 ml of water.