(A nitrogenous vegetable and a meat substitute.) This dish, known in old days in New England, was baked to perfection in the old brick oven. Baked beans seem difficult of digestion for some people. The mustard is supposed to be helpful, and adds something to the flavor. If the molasses is omitted, or but a small amount used, and if butter takes the place of pork or suet, the beans seem more digestible. In different parts of New England the dish is varied. Some people prefer rather dry baked beans; others wish them moist and very sweet.

What and how much.

1 quart of white beans

I teaspoonful of soda

1/4 lb. salt pork or more, or

4 tablespoonfuls of beef fat or butter substitute

Molasses, from two tablespoonfuls to 1/2 cup, or none

1 teaspoonful of mustard

Utensils. A kettle. A covered bean pot.

How to make. Wash and soak the beans in cold water over night. Pour off any water that remains. Put the beans into the kettle, cover with cold water, add the soda, and cook gently until the beans are slightly softened. The soda aids the softening. Pour off the water again, and put the beans into the pot. Mix the molasses and mustard with a pint of water, and pour this over the beans, adding more water if the beans are not covered. Place the pork or other fat upon the beans, and cover the pot. If fat other than pork is used, salt must be added to the beans. The beans should bake slowly for from 6 to 8 hours, and even longer in a very slow oven.

Baked Peas

Save old peas from the garden and dry. Bake as for beans. They soften sooner than beans.