Baked Pot of Beans w/Rice

1 cup dried Appaloosa beans
6 slices bacon, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup uncooked rice

Rinse & sort beans. Cover with water & soak overnight; OR bring to a boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat, cover & let rest for 1 hour. Drain, rinse & cover beans with water. Bring to a boil, cover & simmer approximately 1 hour or until nearly tender. Set aside. In a large kettle, render fat from bacon. Remove bacon & set aside. Saute onion & garlic in bacon drippings until transparent. Add beans, cilantro, salt, pepper, cloves & cinnamon; simmer uncovered until beans are tender. Check occasionally to determine if more hot water is needed. Cook rice according to package directions. Mix beans, rice & reserved bacon. Transfer mixture to a well-oiled 2-qt. casserole. Bake in slow 250-degree oven for 30 minutes. Serves 8.