Maple-Glazed Beans

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 325.
2. 2
   In a large pot, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
3. 3
   Reduce heat to low and simmer, skimming occasionally, until the skins peel back when you blow on them, about 1 hour.
4. 4
   Reserve 4 cups of the cooking liquid and drain the beans.
5. 5
   Transfer the beans to a 10-by-13-inch baking dish.
6. 6
   Stick the cloves in a slice of onion; nestle the onion slices, bay leaves and bacon, fat side up, among the beans.
7. 7
   In a bowl, whisk 2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid with the maple syrup, Worcestershire, dry mustard, 1/4 cup of the ketchup and 1 teaspoon of the salt; pour over the beans and bake for 3 hours.
8. 8
   Stir the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of the cooking liquid; pour over the beans and bake for 1 1/2 hours longer.
9. 9
   Whisk the remaining cooking liquid and ketchup with the Dijon mustard and pour over the beans.
10. 10
    Bake for 1 1/2 hours longer, until the beans are richly browned.
11. 11
    Let stand for 15 minutes.
12. 12
    Discard the cloves and bay leaves, and serve.