Ingredients

1. 2 pounds dried navy beans, soaked overnight in cold water and drained
2. 1 onion, coarsely chopped
3. 1 garlic clove, minced
4. 3/4 cup light molasses or sorghum syrup
5. 3/4 cup light brown sugar
6. 1 tablespoon soy sauce
7. 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
8. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
9. 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
10. 1/2 pound slab bacon in one piece
11. Burnt Ends (optional; see Barbecued Brisket)

Directions

1. Put the beans in a large enameled cast-iron casserole and add enough water to cover by 1/2 inch. Bring to a simmer and cook until the skins on the beans curl up when you blow on them, about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 300°. Stir the onion, garlic, molasses, brown sugar, soy sauce, salt, Worcestershire and mustard into the beans, then nestle in the bacon. Cover and bake for 3 hours, until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed to cover the beans by 1/2 inch.
3. Stir in the Burnt Ends (if using), then bake the beans uncovered about 11/2 hours longer, until richly browned on top. Remove the bacon piece, chop into cubes and return to the beans before serving.

Make Ahead

The baked beans can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.