Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy, pinto or pink beans
• 2 large onions, diced
• 12 ounces smoked pork or ham steak, chopped
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, plus more as needed
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Soak the beans overnight in water in a large bowl.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
3. Saute the onions and pork over medium heat in a cast iron Dutch oven until the onions are tender, abut 10 minutes. Add the drained beans, pork, chicken stock, cayenne, molasses, ketchup, brown sugar, and salt and pepper to taste and bring to a boil.
4. Cover the casserole and transfer to the oven. Bake to 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until the beans are tender.
5. Serve topped with a sprinkle of brown sugar.