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To shorten cooking time, sort beans, place in a large saucepan and soak overnight in deep cold water. The next morning, do not drain but cook beans in the soaking cold water. Bring beans to a full boil over high heat; reduce heat so mixture barely simmers. Simmer until beans are tender, about 2 hours. Drain off all but about a cup of the boiling liquid. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a deep round two-quart casserole. Pour beans into casserole. Stir in brown sugar, salt and pepper. Lay strips of bacon to top of beans. Dot with butter in between bacon strips. Bake uncovered 1-1/2 to 2 hours until bacon is browned but beans are still moist-do not bake until beans are dry. |