Mini Fork: Cozy Cowboy Campfire Baked Beans (holiday fun)

Over the weekend, I posted the first Mini Fork, a recipe for Super Wizzy Pesto for Pasta.  Mini Fork posts are aimed at kids showing their parents what to do in the kitchen, and take control in cooking up some lovely food for everyone to enjoy.  Perfect for empty half term afternoons, rainy days, and mini chefs.

Today, as a bit of half term fun, we cook up some cowboy style Smokey and Sweet Baked Beans.

Step 1. Tell your adults/parents about what you are making.

The beans in baked beans are a called haricot (sounds like Harry-co).

Baked beans are originally a Native American dish, they used to cook them with fat and maple syrup (we are going to use maple syrup too).

There is a similar dish of baked beans that is cooked in France, called cassoulet (sounds like cass-ooo-lay).

Step 2. Tell them why.

Haricot beans give us energy for long periods of time.

The high fibre content of these beans means that they are good for hearts and tummies.

You will find vitamin B1 in these little beans, which is very good for memory.

Step 3. Get organised

Set out the measured ingredients on the side, and the dishes that you will need.

Ingredients

2 cans of haricot beans, drained, about 500g

2 tablespoons of garlic infused olive oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 level teaspoons Dijon mustard

1-2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 level teaspoons of sweet smoked paprika

200ml passata (or tinned tomatoes if you can’t get passata)

Method

Put everything in a saucepan and give it a really good stir. Ask your parent/adult/sheriff to put the pan on a medium heat.

Bring the mixture to the boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer (just a very gentle boil) for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn’t stick. Check the flavours (careful as it will be hot!) and adjust to suit your cowboys.

These beans can be made a day or two ahead (keep them covered in the fridge).  When reheating them, do it in a pan on the hob and add a splash of water if you need to loosen them up.

My campfire was broken, so I used the hob.