Salt & Sugar: Why I Make My Own Baked Beans on Football Days

Homemade Baked Beans

Salt & Sugar or should that be Sugar & Salt?

I hate the sugar industry. They, Tate & Lyle* for example, are so powerful and have no qualms but to exploit anything that will increase the dividends for their shareholders. Luckily for me I do not have a sweet tooth or a salty passion either come to that.

*Cambodian land grab
*Sweetheart deal
*Supplier accused over child labour

This brings me onto baked beans.

Today is a football day. I am going to watch the lunch time Manchester derby followed by my team at 4 o'clock, so I have been giving meal time a little thought.

Yesterday, I bought some cooked ham, ham ham, not salt cured jamon, although I am sure my ham ham will have plenty of that and whilst eating my morning tostada I had a sudden desire for baked beans, ham and egg too, maybe I'll push the boat out and have some chips. Have you ever tasted chips fried in olive oil? Well, go on spoil yourself.

So that's the menu sorted - ham, egg, chips and baked beans liberally sprinkled with apple cider vinegar.

No sugar baked beans.

I can buy Heinz baked beans here in rural Andalucía, at a price, which is full of sugar and salt so I usually make my own. I have a recipe for low sugar no salt Andalucían Style beans here but it is too much of a faff to make on a football day.

Easy baked beans recipe:

You can make your own quick and simple baked beans in 30 minutes - salt and sugar free.

Jar Haricot beans, rinsed
Olive oil, glug
Garlic clove, crushed and finely chopped
A good sprinkling Paprika, hot or smoked depending on your taste
Tomate frito (it comes with a hint of onion and garlic) or use Passata
Dollop tomato puree
Vegetable or chicken stock
Pinch white pepper

Quickly sizzle the garlic in olive oil over low/medium heat. Do not allow to brown.
Add Paprika, stirring for 30 seconds or so.
Add tomato puree, stir for a few seconds.
Add Tomate frito or Passata - stir.
Add stock then simmer for 20 minutes
Add beans and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Add white pepper to taste.

Right, that's it. I'm off to open the bar and settle down to watch the matches. Prediction: United 0 - 0 City (5 players sent off). My team 5 - 0 Burnley.