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The origins of baked beans are disputed. Some say that it originated in Native American cuisine, was made using beans indigenous to the Americas, and was later adopted and adapted by English colonists in New England in the 17th century. Yet others contend that this claim is apocryphal, stating that legumes and lentils prepared in various sauces had been a part of European cuisine long before the Middle Ages. Various legumes indigenous to the New England region of the United States are used to prepare baked beans in restaurants and homes in the same region today. Baked beans are an integral part of all barbecues in North America and are also a staple of Independence Day celebrations. Baked beans are also a common part of a full English Breakfast.
Contrary to popular belief, baked beans are not always baked. They are generally cooked on a low flame for long periods of time. They are, however, available in canned form as well, for convenience. Baked beans are particularly popular with busy people who don't have the time to cook something elaborate. The following are five easy dishes, the recipes for which involve baked beans.
Baked Bean Toastie
Ingredients required are:
1. Baked beans.
2. Grated cheese.
3. Butter for spreading
4. Black pepper.
5. Two slices of bread
Instructions for preparation:
1. Heat the baked beans slowly in a pan to allow the sauce to thicken.
2. Toast two slices of bread.
3. Butter-toasted bread
4. Place a slice of toasted and buttered bread on a plate and pour some of the heated beans on it.
5. Place another slice of toasted bread on the beans, and on top of this slice, add some grated cheese.
6. Serve as is. Serves one person.
Baked Bean Curry
Ingredients required are:
1. Baked beans.
2. Three to four chopped tomatoes
3. One clove of garlic.
4. Chopped fresh chili or red chili flakes
5. A thumbnail-sized ginger piece.
6. One medium onion.
7. One teaspoon of cumin.
8. One teaspoon of coriander powder.
9. Spice mix as desired (Chhole Masale, Channe Masale, Garam Masale, etc.).
10. Oil.
Instructions for preparation:
1. Fry the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger in oil until the onions become translucent.
2. Add spices and chili flakes and fry for about a minute.
3. Add the beans and tomatoes.
4. Allow the mixture to simmer on medium heat for about fifteen minutes.
5. Serve with chapati, rotis, parathas, bread, rice, etc. Serves two to four people.
Baked Bean Wrap
Ingredients required are:
1. Baked beans.
2. Lots of grated cheese.
3. Two rotis or chapatis
Instructions for preparation:
1. Heat the baked beans slowly in a pan to allow the sauce to thicken.
2. In another pan, heat the roti/chapati on low heat. Sprinkle some grated cheese and continue heating until the cheese just starts melting.
3. Put this roti/chapati with the melted grated cheese on it, on a plate and pour some of the cooked beans on it.
4. Add some more grated cheese. roll the roti/chapati into a wrap.
5. Repeat the process for another roti/chapati. Serves one person.
Baked Bean Burger
Ingredients required are:
1. Baked beans.
2. Oil for frying.
3. One medium onion.
4. Four slices of bread
5. One clove of garlic.
6. Three potatoes.
7. One teaspoon of chili flakes.
8. Black pepper.
9. Coriander fresh.
10. One red chili
Instructions for preparation:
1. Fry the chopped onions and garlic together for about five minutes.
2. After adding the red chili and chili flakes, heat for about a minute.
3. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
4. Boil the potatoes and peel them.
5. Mash these boiled potatoes and let them cool.
6. Mix these mashed potatoes with the previous mixture.
7. To this mixture, add some baked beans (drained of their sauce), coriander, and black pepper, and mix well.
8. Mash this mixture well and separate into eight portions.
9. Make some breadcrumbs using a cheese grater.
10. Add the mashed mixture to the breadcrumbs and form patties.
11. Fry these patties on each side for about three minutes in a shallow pan until they become crisp.
12. Serve on buns with ketchup. Serves six to eight people. Patties may also be frozen for future consumption.
Baked Bean Stew
Ingredients required are:
1. Baked beans.
2. Onions, carrots, and garlic
3. Black pepper.
4. Tomato paste.
5. Salt.
6. Spice mix as desired (Chhole Masale, Channe Masale, Garam Masale, etc.).
7. Cumin and mustard seeds
8. Oil for frying.
Instructions for preparation:
1. In a shallow pan, heat some oil and add cumin and mustard seeds.
2. Once they start popping, add the chopped and diced onions, carrots, and garlic and sauté for ten minutes.
3. Add the spice mix and mix well.
4. Now add the tomato paste and stir well.
5. Add baked beans, drained of all the sauce.
6. Stir well and bring to a boil.
7. Add the desired amount of salt and reduce the heat.
8. Let the pan's contents simmer for about twenty to twenty-five minutes, then cover it with a lid.
9. At the end of these twenty to twenty-five minutes, the dish is ready to serve.
For convenience and time savings, canned baked beans can be used. However, we recommend that you prepare some baked beans once or twice a week to avoid any health problems you may encounter in the long run due to the consumption of canned baked beans. Canned baked beans are usually high in salt and sugar, increasing one's risks of heart disease and diabetes. By themselves, baked beans are an incredibly simple and nutritious dish. However, a little effort and some recipes like the ones mentioned above can spice things up and turn a humdrum breakfast and/or dinner into a full-blown tasty meal.
