Old Fashioned Baked Beans

Ingredients:
6 cups dried beans (northern or navy beans work well)
3/4 pounds thick cut bacon
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 tsp. black pepper
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 medium onion, diced

Cover beans with boiling water, soak one hour, then drain. (Or soak overnight in cold water). Cover with fresh cold water, bring to a slow boil and cook until beans are near tender but not mushy. Drain, saving liquid. Chop the bacon and place half in the bottom of a bean pot or large casserole dish. Combine 1 cup of the bean liquid with the mustard, syrup and pepper, then mix with the beans. Place beans in the baking dish over the bacon. Sprinkle the onions on top and gently push them into the beans with a wooden spoon. Pour in just enough bean liquid or water to reach the top layer of beans; just barely. Top with the remaining bacon. Cover and bake 6-8 hours in a 250 degree oven, adding more water if beans appear dry. Serves 8-10