Baked beans facts for kids
Baked beans over scrambled eggs on toast
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| Associated national cuisine | United Kingdom and Ireland |
|---|---|
| Serving temperature | Hot or cold |
| Main ingredients | Beans |
| Ingredients generally used | Tomato sauce |
Baked beans are a popular dish made from beans, usually cooked in a tasty sauce. Even though they are called "baked," they are often stewed, which means cooked slowly in liquid. Most baked beans you buy in a can are made from a type of bean called haricot beans, also known as navy beans.
In Ireland and the United Kingdom, a tomato sauce is most commonly used. People often eat them on toast or as part of a big breakfast.
Contents
What Are Baked Beans?
Baked beans are a simple but filling meal. The main ingredient is the bean itself. The most common type of bean used is the haricot bean. This bean is small, white, and oval-shaped. It is also known as a navy bean.
The beans are cooked in a sauce. This sauce can be sweet or savory. In many places, especially the UK and Ireland, the sauce is a rich tomato sauce. In other places, like parts of the United States, the sauce might be sweeter, with ingredients like molasses or brown sugar.
A Little History
Beans have been a food source for thousands of years. Native American tribes in North America cooked beans with maple syrup and bear fat. This was a very early version of baked beans.
Later, European settlers learned these cooking methods. They started making their own versions. In the 19th century, companies began to can foods. This made it possible to buy baked beans ready to eat from a store. The first company to sell canned baked beans was Heinz in 1886.
How People Eat Them
Baked beans are eaten in many different ways around the world.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland
In the UK and Ireland, baked beans are a very common food. They are often served:
- On toast for a quick and easy meal.
- As part of a "full English breakfast." This big breakfast usually includes eggs, bacon, sausages, and often baked beans.
- With jacket potatoes (baked potatoes).
- As a side dish with many different meals.
In North America
In the United States and Canada, baked beans are also popular. They are often:
- A traditional side dish for barbecues and picnics.
- Served with hot dogs or hamburgers.
- Made with a sweeter sauce, sometimes including molasses or maple syrup.
- A popular dish for Independence Day celebrations.
Other Places
Baked beans are also enjoyed in other countries. For example, in Poland, there is a dish called fasolka po bretońsku. This means "beans Breton style." It is a hearty stew with beans, bacon, and tomato sauce.
Why Are They Popular?
Baked beans are popular for several reasons:
- Easy to prepare: Canned baked beans are very quick to heat up.
- Affordable: They are usually not expensive to buy.
- Nutritious: Beans are a good source of protein and fiber. They can help you feel full and give you energy.
- Versatile: They can be eaten alone or added to many different dishes.
Images for kids
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Homemade Polish baked beans, fasolka po bretońsku.
See also
In Spanish: Baked beans para niños
