Indian inspired baked beans on toast

Take the simple classic. It is too good to be tampered with really and I do feel slightly guilty doing it but I was intrigued to see what it would be like.

This is a warming comfort bowl, not only because it is the best student food but also because of the Asian spices that brighten it. Whilst constructing this dish I also discovered how easy it is to make naan bread - it is so ridiculously easy! This is from someone who doesn't like making bread becase the kneading is too hard work so trust me on this.

Here I have used tinned baked beans but you can make your own really simply (recipe below this one). Again sub in as you wish, I have put some suggestions bus just go crazy - it's up to you to make this dish yours!

Indian inspired baked beans on toast

Serves 1

Ingredients

• Baked Beans

• 1/2 can beans

• 1/8th can coconut milk

• 1/2 tsp curry powder

• 1 clove garlic finely sliced (or 1/4 tsp garlic granules)

• Naan bread:

• 150 g flour (I use spelt but you can use anything you want)

• 1/4 tsp bicarbonate soda

• 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 3/4 tsp honey

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp milk (any milk substitution can be used here)

• 2 tbsp yoghurt (or 2 tbsp milk with 1/2 tsp lemon juice/vinegar

• 40 ml water

Method:

1. Put all the ingredients for the beans into a pan and gently bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste and leave to simmer for about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile mix all the naan bread ingredients together in a bowl until a smooth dough forms. Split into two batches and shape into naan bread (I like to make them into 15 cm round shapes because they're easier to fry). Place into a dry frying pan on a medium heat. Cook until they turn slightly golden on one side with those classic brown patches, then flip and do the other side. This usually takes about 3 minutes on each side.

3. Serve the beans on the naan bread with a dollop of yoghurt and a sprinkling of coriander if you have some. Delicious.

To make baked beans from scratch...

Homemade baked beans

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 400g tin of haricot beans

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp honey

• salt and pepper

Method:

1. Add all the ingredient to a saucepan, and heat through. Simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste and serve!