As September draws closer and temperatures begin to drop, baked beans become an even more appealing choice for a comforting meal. Whether spooned over a fluffy jacket potato on a grey afternoon or served alongside a Full English breakfast on a chilly morning, they're a classic cupboard staple.
However, even though a tin of baked beans can be enjoyed straight from the saucepan, there's a simple way to give them a deeper, more interesting flavour. A small amount of dry mustard powder can add a delicious added flavour to baked beans, helping to balance their sweetness and bring out the savoury flavours without overpowering the dish.
Mustard powder adds 'gentle heat and sharpness'
According to retired chef Marie Alice Joan, who has been running the food blog The English Kitchen since 2009, the dry mustard powder "adds gentle heat and sharpness" to the baked beans. She added that prepared mustard works if you don't have dry mustard and that in that case, she recommends using Dijon mustard.
The recipe also includes another unexpected addition, a pinch of curry powder, which according to the expert, adds warmth and savoury depth without making the beans taste like curry. Ms Joan added: "The curry powder is a unique addition, but it totally works. You can't really taste the curry but it gives the finished dish a bit of umami."
Baked Beans for One recipe
Her Baked Beans for One recipe involves cooking streaky bacon with onion and garlic, then adding drained canned beans, ketchup, molasses, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of mustard powder and a pinch of curry powder. The mixture is simmered briefly, the bacon is crumbled into it, then transferred to a baking dish and baked at 180C for around 30 minutes, until bubbling and thickened.
Ms Joan wrote: "If you love cozy, comforting meals that come together quickly, this Baked Beans for One recipe is a little gem you'll want to keep close."
