Subject: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 24 Sep 02 - 12:57 PM "As Time Goes By" is one of my favorite British comedies. Lionel (one of the characters, for those of you who don't watch it) likes to eat beans & toast. What kind of beans, what sort of toast, and how do you fix it? It sounds like it might make a nice quick supper. Thanks! :-) |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:03 PM baked beans & thick brown wholemeal bread. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Ringer Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:06 PM Probably "beans on toast", I'd think. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: MMario Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:09 PM a pretty good breakfast too! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:31 PM Beans are sneered at by many people, but they can be fixed in many ways. In the American southwest, the "Breakfast Burito" is popular. It consists of a large flour tortilla wrapped around a mixture of pinto beans, chopped meat and cheese, flavored with chili, and other spices. There are as many variants of the recipe as there are preparers (also depends on what you can scrounge out of the larder). Once labeled "Tex-Mex" they can be found from Louisiana to California and much of the Rocky Mountains- and spreading. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:35 PM Yes, I think he does say beans ON toast. So you just put the beans over the toast? No embellishments? We eat a lot of beans in the cold months, when I get the Crock-Pot out at least once a week. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Micca Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:43 PM The True aficionados, I understand. make Toast ( 2 slices)from decent Brown bread, then spread each with thinly with Marmite, place on a large dinner plate then pour on heated "tinned baked beans in Tomato sauce" (preferably Heinz, but personal taste may vary) BUT with lots of freshly ground Black pepper and a little salt, Enjoy!!!! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 24 Sep 02 - 01:50 PM I'm hungry.............. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: MMario Date: 24 Sep 02 - 02:05 PM toasted boston brown bread - with good molasses basked beans on top. yummy! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST Date: 24 Sep 02 - 02:17 PM For a calorific effect (but still minor compared to that of a good one pound plus burrito), fry the bread in bacon grease and then ladle on the baked, etc. beans. Try the following recipe sometime. PINTO BEANS WITH HAM SHOULDER 2 pounds dried pinto beans 1 pound or so cured ham shoulder 1. Cook washed and pre-soaked beans (do not pre-soak for too long- pintos are softer than the beans usually put in baked beans)) at low heat in a large covered pot until they begin to soften. 2. Add cut-up cured ham shoulder, one chopped-up garlic head, 1 tablespoon oregano, 3-4 tablespoons of pure medium-heat chili powder (such as Chimayo, Hatch, New Mexico, etc.), 1/4 tablespoon coriander, 1/4 tablespoon cumin. Salt depends on the salt content of the shoulder- taste-test for saltiness. Simmer. 3. Cook until beans are tender but not mushy. Adjust spices. This requires taste-testing, as pinto beans cook more quickly than those usually used in baked beans. (OK, so you like mushy. Don't eat them all while-taste-testing- save some for your spouse). Serve with side bowls of grated cheddar (old-fort), and chopped onion (I like red). Some like buttered toast with it, others swear by corn meal tortillas, blue corn chips, etc. Or any good home-made bread. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Liz the Squeak Date: 24 Sep 02 - 04:41 PM Marmite is optional, I prefer tons of butter. Bratling likes the toast hot and the beans cold. Bread has to be sliced thickly enough that you can use the toast as a scoop for the beans so it will almost but not quite deposit the beans in your lap en route to your mouth. Just going to get some supper now...... wonder what I could have..... LTS |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 24 Sep 02 - 05:41 PM Wow, y'all, thanks! That pinto bean recipe sounds really good. I'll tell ya what I really dig, though, and that's blackyed peas in the Crock-Pot with ham hocks, and cornbread on the side. :-) |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST Date: 24 Sep 02 - 06:15 PM Kim C, you are one of them dang Rebels! (My wife is one). OK, I admit they ain't bad. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Steve Latimer Date: 24 Sep 02 - 07:20 PM My variation is to thinly slice some cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, put the whole wheat toast on the plate as soon as it comes out of the toaster, place the cheese slices on right away and then pour the hot beans (Just plain, everyday Pork & Beans) directly on top so the cheese melts. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Seamus Kennedy Date: 25 Sep 02 - 12:45 AM I grew up on beans on toast, and the closest here in the States is Heinz vegetarian beans. Heat 'em in a saucepan or microwave, and pour 'em over a couple of slices of toast (any kind of bread). Add a cuppa tea and get stuck in. Breakfast, lunch or dinner or dessert. As a matter of fact - whatever that means- I'm gonna go and make some now. Seamus |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Bert Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:35 AM There is also a little folklore associated with the dish. As it is a cheap meal, when one splurges on some expensive luxury, one says something like, "Oh well, beans on toast for a month now" |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST,Patrish Date: 25 Sep 02 - 04:04 AM I like to toast one side of the bread and then put mature cheddar on the other side and toast it until it is bubbling and golden. I heat the beans(must be Heinz) and stir in a knob of butter and then pour over the cheese on toast. Patrish x |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Fibula Mattock Date: 25 Sep 02 - 04:39 AM Hot buttered toast (white bread, toasted both sides). Add baked beans. No longer a favourite in my house - my new flatmate is anaphylactically allergic to the protein in pulses. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Lepus Rex Date: 25 Sep 02 - 04:47 AM Not a big beans on toast guy. I've always preferred, you know, edible food. ---Lepus Rex |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Mr Happy Date: 25 Sep 02 - 04:54 AM vegetarian beans? |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Nigel Parsons Date: 25 Sep 02 - 05:11 AM MrH: yes, vegetarian beans, as opposed to ...... I don't know. Presumably including no meat products in the cooking.(even of the sauce) There again, these days so much food is listed as 'Organic'. If it's inorganic I ain't eating it! Nigel |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Mr Happy Date: 25 Sep 02 - 05:15 AM yes, 'organic food'? what does it mean? surely all food's organic. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Bagpuss Date: 25 Sep 02 - 05:52 AM But if some of the foods contain - for example - salt, which is an inorganic chemical.... |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Mrs.Duck Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:17 PM Beanz meanz Heinz. White bread toasted and buttered. Pour beans over and for a more substantial meal top off with two poached eggs. mmmmmn;. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:34 PM Since there are no federally set conditions for "organic" labeling, much of the hype on the labels is misleading to say the least. Just a means of getting people to spend substantially more for products. I am not talking about those local farmers who make an honest effort to keep their produce free of contaminants. Most groceries here have two brands of beans in cans that are labeled "organic." No proof is offered. I use them, however, because they are the only brands offering pinto beans in cans, eliminating the soaking and most of the cooking time. Both lack meat products. We have a coffee brand here that is "certified" organic, whatever that means. The label also says that it is made with pure Rocky Mountain air. Whoopee!! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:40 PM Mrs. Duck, that's how I remember this dish! I stayed in England for 3 months 20 years ago, sometimes with friends, other times in B&B's or youth hostels. I think that a week did not go by when I did not have the dish- usually served with bacon and/or eggs. I also remember that the dish was almost always cold by the time it came to the table! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:49 PM Yes, I am one of them dang Rebels. We're pretty good cooks, y'know. An Mister, well, he's what we call a Sanctified Rebel - he was a Hoosier to begin with but since he married a Southerner, he's Sanctified. ;-) Vegetarian beans means there ain't any ham or bacon fat in them. (We Dang Rebels sometimes like to put meat in our beans for flavoring.) One of my favorite canned beans here in the US is Ranch Style Beans. Yummmmmmmmm! Okay, now, most of y'all are saying put the cheese on the toast, and the beans atop the cheese. Would it be desecration to put the cheese atop the beans instead, or in addition to? What about, toast, cheese, bacon, beans, more cheese? Maybe some onions on top.
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Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: MMario Date: 25 Sep 02 - 01:57 PM *drool* |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 25 Sep 02 - 02:29 PM Well, MMario, come on down! You ought to be able to get here by suppertime tomorrow night. :-) |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 25 Sep 02 - 02:43 PM Well I wouldn't fancy a carnivorous bean. Saibsbury's beans do as well as Heinz and are cheaper. But not Tescos, for some reason.
So Americans don't have baked beans? That's a turn up for the books. I'd always assumed it was a standard American thing to start off with, what with Heinz being the main brand and all.
Really it's the national basic dish. Instant food, before they invented the term. No fancy frills.
One strange thing is, my mother always used to put the tin (pierced - or there'd be an explosion) in hot water to heat it, and I think that was the normal way to do it; and nowadays we always just open the tin and bung it in a saucepan. Anyone still do it the old way?
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Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Liz the Squeak Date: 25 Sep 02 - 06:15 PM Memo to self.... open cat food and place in bowls. THEN open beans and place on toast..... Mind you, that tuna flavour stuff is pretty good.... toast has to be hot though. LTS |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Steve Latimer Date: 25 Sep 02 - 06:46 PM Kim C, YOu could put the cheese on top, I don't think it would melt as well. You need this to be gooey. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST Date: 25 Sep 02 - 06:46 PM The real baked bean people start from scratch, especially in New England. Cans are for emergencies. But laziness seems to prevail now. Ever evaporate the leftover beans to form a cake? Heat and serve with eggs, and put maple syrup on the bean cake. Cooking in the can was something we did out camping, but never at home. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Leadfingers Date: 25 Sep 02 - 06:58 PM What about Curried Beans??? |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: MMario Date: 25 Sep 02 - 07:20 PM Plenty of baked beans in the US - just beans on toast not a common dish. Curried beans? |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Leadfingers Date: 25 Sep 02 - 07:37 PM Curried Beans-same same baked beans but with curry flavour Yummy!!! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Snuffy Date: 25 Sep 02 - 07:57 PM Baked potato cut open, filled with Heinz beans and sprinkled with grated cheese - that's a proper meal: beans on toast is a light breakfast or a snack. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST Date: 25 Sep 02 - 08:07 PM Come, come! Where is the broccoli, raw carrot and cucumber with token bean salad? |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST,ozmacca Date: 26 Sep 02 - 03:09 AM Or - spread margarine thinly on enough slices of bread (brown/ white/ wholemeal whatever)to cover the bottom of a baking tray. Place bread in tray marg side down. On top of bread scatter thin sliced red and/or green capsicum, onion, tomato, thin strips of bacon or thin sliced salami (the thin twiggy ones are best). Whip one egg per four slices of bread with same amount of milk. Pour over the lot. Grate cheese (cheddar etc) over the whole thing. Scatter basil parsley to taste. Pour a little milk around the edges of the bread to help the bread release from the pan. Bake about 180 C for 10 minutes. Serve with - you guessed it - good old hot baked beans over the top. Preferably with crispy golden hot chips. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST,Bullfrog Jones (on the road) Date: 26 Sep 02 - 04:15 AM In last Saturday's Guardian Heston Blumenthal gave a recipe for making baked beans. Click here for the online version. I might give it a go this weekend --- I think it's probably worth the effort, especially doing them in bulk as he says they store well. I have to say, that while I loved Heinz beans as a kid I find them awfully bland now. BJ |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Mr Happy Date: 26 Sep 02 - 04:36 AM Mr McGrath, 'Well I wouldn't fancy a carnivorous bean.' so what kind of beans do cannibals eat? human beans,of course! 8-] |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST,Patrish Date: 26 Sep 02 - 05:36 AM Posh Beans on Toast
Cut a croissant in half and put some mature cheddar on cut side and toast.
Not only does it taste divine, but it looks good too Patrish x |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Pied Piper Date: 26 Sep 02 - 07:43 AM Add Cumin, Cayenne pepper, and finely chopped spring unions. Wonderful.PP |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: GUEST,Bullfrog Jones (on the road) Date: 26 Sep 02 - 08:23 AM Obviously I'm not the only one who finds them bland! BJ |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Kim C Date: 26 Sep 02 - 10:50 AM I'm going to try some of this tomorrow! |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: Don Firth Date: 26 Sep 02 - 01:53 PM I ate a lot of baked beans when I was a kid. Inexpensive, nourishing, tasty. As I recall, my mother heated them the way McGrath describes. Poke a hole in the can (tin) and heat it in water, pour it into a dish, top with a couple dollops of ketchup if so inclined. That, along with some good, heavy bread, and you had a meal! Beans. One of my favorite meals is a chiliburger. I discovered to my surprise some years ago that not all that many people know what a chiliburger is! Okay, take large plate or platter. Place lower half of bun on middle of plate. Place hamburger patty (cooked, of course) on lower half of bun. Slice top half of bun in two and place on either side of plate. Pour bowl of chili over the whole business. Top with grated cheese and/or chopped onion. Eat. Sit back. Smile. Burp. Scratch. Ahh . . . heaven!! (This chiliburger recipe assumes you start with a real hamburger, not those little things that fast food places throw out the window at passing cars.) Barbara and I are sort of semi-vegetarians, but we're not fanatical about it. It's more a matter of economy than taste or principle. A favorite dish: big bowl of rice. On top of the rice, an almost equal amount of baked beans or chili. On top of beans (or chili), a good-sized dollop of yogurt. Make a depression in the middle of the yogurt and fill the reservoir with a substantial quantity of medium to hot salsa. Eat with big spoon. Tastes great, fills the tummy, and clears the sinuses. Our local PBS channel has run "As Time Goes By" several times and I've videotaped it. I have every episode. I tend to relate to Lionel right now, but when I get a year or two older, I want to be Rocky. Hmm . . . lunch time! Don Firth |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: DonD Date: 26 Sep 02 - 04:36 PM My wife and I first experienced beans on toast as newlyweds in London in 1954 at a horrible London hotel, where we were lucky to get a room without a reservation, because every other accommodation was fully booked due to the auto show. The top floor walk-up was decorated with a random selection of mismatched wallpapers -- not one to a wall, but blue paisley followed by green stripes, etc. wherever the roll happened to run out -- and a bathtub so encrusted with rust (we hoped that was what that brown stuff was -- that we rushed out to a movie so that we could come back exhausted and fall into bed unwashed and without having to look at the walls. Anyway, breakfast was of course included in the bleak basement and we were amazed to hear our neighbor, a distinguished Punjabi or Sikh with exotic beard and turban (all so strange to us cosmopolitan New Yorkers) order and consume beans on toast. We thought it must be an Indian specialty that they provided for their Asian guests! We watched in wonder out of the corners of our eyes as he wiped the plate. With all due respect for the nutritional value of beans as a source of protein, baked beans --Heinz or otherwise -- are so packed with sugars and salts, and the bread -- it was rarely other than pallid white then -- was so bland, that we couldn't, and can't, see how it can make a healthy meal. It seemed then to be at least a cheap, filling satisfier in times of post-war shortages, but what is the excuse for it now? But in a country that relishes chip butties with all the vitamins and minerals that they supply, perhaps it is no wonder. Of course, if you want something green to go with it, there's always those mushy peas, as long as you're sure to wait until all the goodness has been cooked out of them. Call me a chauvinistic culinary elitist. |
Subject: RE: BS: Food: Beans & Toast From: lady penelope Date: 26 Sep 02 - 06:34 PM Just for those of a healthy frame of mind, out there......... A typical meal for us was Heinz baked beans ( had to be Heinz, all others are imposters ) on heavily buttered white toast and a big glass of full cream milk. At the time it was considered healthy. I still eat it as a treat, including the milk. If you think that's bad, I feel I should let you know that my Aunty Teresa was convinced that baked beans were a muddy black colour until she moved down to England (from Glasgow), even to the point of telling a bloke in a cafe that he was being absurd to suggest that baked beans were orange. This was due to my maternal grandmother's habit of pouring the baked beans into the frying pan after she had fried everything else ( let's put it this way....my mother learnt to cook out of self defence! ). Since everything else had already been sacrificed to the gods ( burnt ) the beans came out black and drowning in lard. My mother still can't eat baked beans without at least adding a small amount of fat to them.......... Oooh, I must go now......becoming hungry....dribble.. TTFN M'Lady P. |