QUEBEC BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse beans and sort, if necessary, discarding any blemished ones. In large Dutch oven or stockpot, cover beans with 3 times their volume of water. Bring to boil; boil gently for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and discard liquid. Return soaked beans to pot along with 3 times their volume of fresh water. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer covered fro 30-45 minutes or until tender. Drain reserving 2 cups cooking liquid. Meanwhile, dice bacon. In another bowl, using potato masher, mash tomatoes in their juice. In bean pot, combine beans, reserved cooking liquid, bacon, tomatoes, onions, ketchup, molasses, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Bake, covered, in 300 F oven for 2 1/2 hours. Uncover add maple syrup and bake for 1-1 1/2 hours longer or until sauce is thickened and coats beans well.