Description
A wholesome and comforting recipe for healthy baked beans served over fluffy jacket potatoes. This dish combines savory haricot beans simmered in a flavorful tomato and date sauce with aromatic spices, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Baked Beans
- 1 tsp rapeseed oil
- 1 large onion (185g), finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 500g passata
- 3 pitted dates (about 15g), roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp bouillon powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 x 400g cans haricot beans, drained
To Serve
- 4 medium cooked jacket potatoes
Instructions
- Fry the onion: Heat the rapeseed oil in a non-stick saucepan over low heat. Add the finely chopped onion and fry gently for 5 minutes until it turns golden, adding a drop of water if it starts to stick or burn.
- Add garlic and sauce ingredients: Stir in the finely grated garlic, then add the passata, roughly chopped dates, balsamic vinegar, bouillon powder, and bay leaf. Season with plenty of freshly ground black pepper and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Add beans and simmer: Pour in the drained haricot beans and 400ml of water. Continue to simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a rich, hearty consistency.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf and serve the hot baked beans spooned over warm, cooked jacket potatoes for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
- Freezing and reheating: To freeze, cool the baked beans completely, then portion into freezer bags and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat thoroughly in a pan until piping hot before serving.
Notes
- If the sauce appears too thick, add a splash more water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Using dates adds natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugar.
- This recipe is great for batch cooking and freezes well for convenient future meals.
- Serve with a side of steamed greens or a fresh salad to increase the nutritional profile of the meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: healthy baked beans, vegetarian baked beans, haricot beans, jacket potatoes, easy vegetarian dinner, healthy comfort food
