Slow Cooked "baked" Beans

Starting from scratch using dried navy beans will produce really tasty results and the firmer texture of real home-made baked beans! (If you like them mushy, extend the cooking time.) Because it is done in a crock pot, it is a painless recipe that minds itself. Dried beans are really a bargain too! I discovered this at Cooks.com. Cooking time does not include soaking time.

• Ready In: 13 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 2 quarts

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs dried navy beans (3 cups beans)
• 1  tablespoon  instant minced onion
• 1  cup ketchup
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon dry mustard
• 1⁄4 cup dark molasses
• 1  tablespoon liquid smoke (caution, strengths vary! Adjust accordingly.)
• 3 1⁄2 cups water
• 1⁄4 lb  lean diced salt pork (substitute bacon or ham if that is your preference)
• 1  tablespoon salt

Directions

1. Thoroughly rinse and clean beans; place beans in a bowl and cover with cold water.
2. Soak 4 to 5 hours or overnight and drain. (Rumor is that soaking them overnight negates the reputation beans have earned. Let me know if you find otherwise and I'll suggest a book of matches!)
3. Place the beans in a crock pot (I use a 5 quart) and add all the other ingredients. Mix well. Cook on low setting for 13 to 15 hours, high setting for 7 to 8 hours. Test for doneness one to two hours before end of cooking time.
4. I cannot use all that this recipe produces at one time but I have had good luck in freezing the leftovers in smaller serving size containers if they are not overcooked. When thawed, the results are still more firm than commercially prepared baked beans and certainly more tasty!