Baked Beans with Molasses

Ingredients

1.	Rinse off, discard bad beans or stones, and soak beans overnight in 4 times as much water as beans.
2.	Put beans and enough of the soaking water to cover in a large pan on the stove. (Reserve rest of soaking water)
3.	Simmer beans on low heat for 2-3 hours. Test for doneness by putting a few beans in a spoon and blowing on them. If the skin loosens easily, they are done. Discard test beans.
4.	Slash through rind of ham hock in several places. Slice any large pieces of meat off bone. Put meat and bone in bottom of ceramic or glass baking dish.
5.	Drain beans, retaining hot liquid. Spread beans over ham.
6.	Mix1 cup hot liquid with sugar, molasses, and pepper and pour over beans in baking dish. Add more hot water to just cover beans.
7.	Bake, covered, at 300 degrees for four hours. If water boils off as cooking, add some of the reserved water. If still soupy, remove lid and continue to bake until excess liquid evaporates.