LIMA BEAN BAKE

Rinse 1 pound of dried beans; drain. Soak overnight in a very large pan of cold water, adding 4” above bean level (about 6 cups). The next morning, drain and add cold water. Simmer, covered, 1 to 3 hours or until tender, adding more hot water if necessary. (Cold water will make beans burst.) Drain beans, reserving 1 cup of the liquid. Heat remaining ingredients except for the bacon.

2 cups of ham strips, cooked or uncooked, opt.

2 or 3 onions, sliced

3 tab. molasses

2 cups tomato sauce

1 cup reserved liquid

1 tea. dry mustard

½ tea. ginger

1½ tea. Worcestershire Sauce

½ cup brown sugar

bacon (about 6 slices), cut into 1½” pieces

Heat ingredients in pan or dish. Add beans. Place enough bacon pieces on top to just about cover. Bake at 350’ for about 2 hours, checking half way. If too dry add hot water. Before serving spoon off some of the surface fat.