Baked beans are akitchen cupboard staple. But, this seemingly humble bean is not without its controversies. Branston beans were voted top of a taste test in 2017 which sparked a nationwide debate: which beans are the best beans? Does beans mean Heinz? Are baked beans, in fact, made of magic? We don’t know how that debate ended, but one thing’s for sure: baked beans have the potential to turn brother against sister, neighbour against neighbour. And that’s a lot of power for a tiny bean to bear.
What’s with the British baked bean obsession?
It’s true, us Brits are unusually interested in baked beans. After all, what’s not to like? They’re cheap, filling, and surprisingly nutritious. Essentially haricot beans in a tomato sauce, baked beans are an excellent source of fibre and protein. During the second world war, they were even named an “essential food” in the Ministry of Food’s wartime rationing system.
But, believe it or not, baked beans did not originate in the UK. Originally considered an expensive foreign delicacy, the first baked beans were imported from America and sold in Fortnum & Mason, a fancy department store a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. However, they proved so popular that by 1905, American beans manufacturer Heinz had opened their first overseas factory in Peckham, south London. Heinz have since expanded to multiple locations around the UK to ensure a consistent flow of bean-y goodness to all corners of the land.
Nowadays, despite their overseas origin, Heinz baked beans are considered a British specialty. Heinz even hold a Royal Warrant by Appointment to HM The Queen. They’re popular around the world, too, with many regions putting their own spin on this classic.
But, beyond its perfect pairings in a fry up, or a classic beans and cheese combo, are baked beans that versatile an ingredient? We’ve found 4 recipes that we think really benefit from added beans.
Chilli con carne… with added beans
Most traditional recipes for chilli con carne call for red kidney beans. In our book, that makes this dish ripe for a baked bean takeover. Adding just a small tin of beans to your chilli gives your sauce an extra tomatoe-y kick. You can also get away with reducing the amount of meat you include in the dish, too. Beans will top up the protein without compromising on how filling the dish is. So, you’ll be able to stretch your servings further for the same cost, or save some money on a smaller packet of mince!
Beanshuka
Shakshuka is a Turkish classic, often served for breakfast but honestly good at any time of day. The dish revolves around making a tomato sauce using a can of chopped tomatoes, finely chopped veggies and sometimes bacon lardons. Then, you create wells in the sauce to cook eggs in. Adding baked beans to a tomato based dish gives your sauce more depth of flavour. Shakshuka, being full of eggs, is already packed with protein, but beans add fibre to the mix. This makes the dish more filling than it would otherwise be.
Boston baked beans
Image courtesy of gearpatrol.com
Take baked beans back to their American roots with the Boston version of the famously British dish. There are many variations on the recipe for Boston beans, but it seems barbecue sauce and a combination of finely diced vegetables are the key extra ingredients. We think adding a little mustard powder and a can of chopped tomatoes give the dish more oomph, too. Boston beans probably aren’t a full meal on their own, but they do make an excellent side. We like them with anything from smoky gammon to sausages, and even with a jacket potato.
Shepherd’s beans
Image courtesy of taste.com
If a chilli can benefit from added beans, then a shepherd’s pie definitely can. We make our meat mixture with steak mince, finely diced onions and carrots, a bit of water and some Bisto granules, and we find that the beans and the rich beef stock go really well together. Everyone has their own take on a traditional shepherd’s pie, though, so however you make yours, add some beans to the mix before you top with mashed potato and see what happens! It’s wonderfully comforting and, like the chilli, means you can make more portions or use less meat and have a dish that’s just as filling.
Can anything beat the classics when it comes to baked beans, though? Get in touch and let us know what you think!
