Instructions: Soak beans overnight or at least 6 hours in cold water. In morning rinse with cold water. Put beans in large pot and cover with hot water and add 1/2 tsp baking soda. Bring to a boil and turn down heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.

I only do it for 5 minutes as I like to cook them in the oven for at least 4 to 6 hours to absorb all the molasses and seasonings. If you boil them the full 10 minutes you may only need to bake them for 2 1/2 to 3 hours but they sometimes get mushy if you boil them too long. Drain off the water and rinse again in cold water. Cut salt pork in 1 inch cubes. Place half in the bottom of the bean pot with half of the onion. Pour beans into pot and mix remaining ingredients well and pour over beans. Mix well with beans being careful not to disturb the pork and onion on bottom. Top with the rest of the salt pork and other half of onion.

Boil some water and pour just enough over the beans to cover. Stir lightly with knife
making sure liquid has gone to bottom too. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes and then turn down to 325 and bake at least 4 hours depending on how long you par boiled them or to your taste. Check on beans after one hour and add more liquid if needed to make sure beans are covered at all times. Then I check every 1/2 hour as they begin to absorb liquid quickly. Add just enough to keeps beans covered. When almost done stop adding the liquid. Do not over add as beans will become too mushy and loose some of its flavor. I usually also increase the molasses to just under one cup, as I like mine a little darker than some. Trial and error as to the way you like it. They are cheap to make and they dont last long here.

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