Homemade Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 2 x 400g haricot or cannellini beans (or a mixture) 
- Vegetable oil – a splash for frying 
- 200g onion, finely chopped 
- 2 sticks celery, finely diced 
- 2 medium carrots, finely diced 
- 1 sweet potato (or equivalent weight butternut squash), finely diced 
- 2 garlic cloves, grated 
- 2 x 400g/14oz chopped tinned tomatoes 
- 2 tbsp tomato puree 
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 
- 2 tsp mixed herbs 
- 2 tsp smoked paprika 
- 1 tsp ground cumin 
Method
- In a large saucepan, add a splash of oil and fry the onion, carrots, celery and sweet potato until soft, stirring to avoid them sticking or colouring. 
- Add the garlic and cook for a further 2 mins, then stir in the paprika, mixed herbs and cumin. 
- Next add the tinned tomatoes, tomato puree and vinegar and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 
- Using a stick blender, blitz the sauce to a smooth consistency, then drain the beans and add to the pan. 
- Cook for 5 -10 minutes to heat the beans in the sauce 
Serve with jacket potatoes, toast, bread, or potato wedges.
