Ketchup Baked Beans with Baby Spinach
Commercial baked beans can be OK if you’re stuck but I find they tend to be quite sweet and contain added sugar which you really don’t need. These beans aren’t really baked because we’re cooking them on the stove but you get the drift. The smoked paprika isn’t critical but if you can get your hands on some I encourage you to try it. It adds the most wonderfully complex smokey flavours.
Enough for 2-3
2 onions, chopped
2 can white beans (400g / 14oz each), drained
6-8 tablespoons tomato ketchup
1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika, optional
4 handfuls baby spinach, to serve
1. Heat a little oil in a frying pan. Add onion and cook on a low to medium heat until soft.
2. Add beans, tomato ketchup and paprika, if using, and bring to a simmer.
3. Taste and season. Serve on a bed of baby spinach with a few tablespoons extra virgin olive oil drizzled over for richness.
Variations
carnivore – great with some chopped bacon or chorizo browned in the pan first.
ketchup baked chickpeas – replace canned beans with my favourite legume.
fresh – replace the canned beans with shelled fresh broad beans or borlotti beans. They will need to simmer for 5-10 minutes and you may need to add a little water if it’s drying out too much.
hot – replace the paprika with a dash of dried chilli powder or cayenne.
more substantial – serve alongside poached or fried eggs. Or on hot buttered toast.
sugar-free – replace ketchup with a little tomato paste.
paleo (grain, legume & dairy-free) – make these Moroccan Meatballs instead.
Waste Avoidance Strategy
onions, beans, paprika – pantry.
ketchup – fridge.
baby spinach – use for another meal or freeze it. Will wilt when defrosted.
Add to my Old Favourite Recipes
Hi Jules
Any possibility of providing us with hints, tips and a few easy recipes for pressure cookers!
I got given one as a gift!
I don’t know what to do with it?
I would love to Wendy but I haven’t actually ever used one.
I have been thinking about getting one though so watch this space…
I’d start by cooking beans, chickpeas and slow cooked meat type dishes… there should be instructions that come with it… I’d start there.
Jx
Best baked beans ever! I had some leftovers that I hoped to make another meal from tomorrow, but couldn’t resist having “just one more taste” again and again. Hmmm..will have to re-think tomorrow’s lunch.
Oh Yay Fiona!
So glad you liked them 🙂
I loved this. We did Great Northern and Black beans over spinach with toast and quinoa on the side. My husband thought it was too sweet, so I might back off on the ketchup a little next time, or use a combination of ketchup and tomato paste. But I loved the sweetness, so we’ll see.
Yum Holly!
And yes ketchup can be a little on the sweet side. Tomato paste is a good less sweet alternative, or you could always just back off on the ketchup as you suggested 🙂
Jx