Baked Beans

Ingredients

• 2 cans white beans, such as navy beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  White beans are traditional because they hold their shape and absorb flavor well.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 400 g canned crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  This deepens the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  Adjust to taste depending on how sweet you like your baked beans.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon mustard, either Dijon or yellow
• 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 125 ml water or stock

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Equipment Needed

• Medium saucepan or deep frying pan
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Lid for the pan

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Preparing the Sauce Base

1. Place the saucepan over medium heat and add the oil or butter.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook gently for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The onion should become soft and translucent but not browned. This slow cooking builds sweetness.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

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Building the Sauce

1. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. This step removes the raw tomato taste.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pour in the water or stock and stir until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined.
4. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

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Adding the Beans

1. Add the drained beans to the sauce.
2. Stir gently so the beans are fully coated without breaking them.
3. Cover the pan partially with a lid, allowing some steam to escape.

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Cooking the Baked Beans

1. Allow the beans to simmer gently for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. The sauce should thicken gradually and cling to the beans.
3. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of water. If it is too thin, continue cooking uncovered for a few minutes.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or sugar if required.

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Serving

Baked beans can be served hot or warm.

They are commonly served with:

• Toast or buttered bread
• Fried or poached eggs
• Sausages or bacon
• Baked potatoes

They can also be used as a filling for toasties or as a topping for jacket potatoes.