MAPLE BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• 1. In a large pan, cover the beans with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 1 hour.
• 2. Preheat oven to 300°F.
• 3. In a bowl, combine everything else except the bacon. Stir in the beans.
• 4. Place 1 bacon strip at the bottom of a large ovenproof dish or Dutch oven. Pour the bean mixture over it, then push the other strip in.
• 5. Add just enough boiling water to the pot to cover everything.
• 6. Cover the pot with aluminum foil, then a lid. Bake for 5 hours, checking hourly to make sure the beans aren't drying out. (Add more water as necessary to keep them submerged.) 7 Uncover for the last half hour to brown the top, if desired.