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Beans on toast is a beloved British comfort food, often enjoyed after a busy day. While simple, there’s an effortless way to elevate this classic dish. Instead of merely heating and serving canned beans on toast, consider a flavor-enhancing addition: a dash of Worcestershire sauce. This unexpected ingredient, suggested by cook Grace Hall, founder of Eats Amazing, can transform your beans on toast into a more savory meal.
Elevating Your Beans on Toast
Grace Hall suggests that “a dash of Worcestershire sauce – if you’ve never tried this, it’s a must!” While not a traditional baked beans component, Worcestershire sauce’s salty and umami notes impart a richer, more complex flavor profile.
The sauce contains anchovies, commonly used in dishes like Bolognese to provide depth and umami. This same culinary principle applies wonderfully here.
A small amount of Worcestershire sauce can significantly amplify the overall taste of beans on toast. It delivers an umami boost, mimicking the savory taste of bacon or ham, resulting in a more satisfying and flavorful meal with minimal effort.
Perfecting Your Beans on Toast: A Simple Guide
Ingredients (per person):
- Two slices of bread
- One tablespoon of butter
- Half a 400g tin of baked beans
- A splash of Worcestershire sauce
- 25g of grated cheese
- Black pepper (optional)
Instructions:
Follow these easy steps to prepare your upgraded beans on toast:
- Pour the baked beans into a small saucepan and simmer for three to four minutes until they begin to bubble.
- Alternatively, place the beans in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at full power for one minute. Stir, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
- While the beans are heating, toast the bread until golden brown and crispy. Spread generously with butter.
- Grace notes: “If serving to younger children, cut the toast into soldiers first; it makes it much easier for them to eat!”
- Spoon the heated beans onto the buttered toast and sprinkle with grated cheese.
- Finally, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce on top. Adding it at the end helps preserve its distinct flavor, preventing the tangy notes from fading during cooking.
- Season with black pepper, if desired, and enjoy your comforting and richly flavored beans on toast.