Baked beans curry, is the cornerstone of many childhood memories. It was the easy to make yet always delicious dish that typified ‘meatless Monday’!, as a staple for my fathers breakfast on a Monday morning- with a glass of sour porridge and vinegar chillies. We also had it in our sandwiches with brown bread, for school lunches nearly every Monday. It was Amma‘s favourite quick Saturday lunch after grocery shopping, braised baked beans with sausages and fresh rolls. The sweetness of the tomato sauce in baked beans combined with green chili and masala make for a winning combination. Perfect on its own, as a curry with boiled eggs or viennas and as a perfect accompaniment to braai meat or sausages.
How to Braise Baked Beans …like Amma
Amma‘s method for cooking baked beans curry was what she called braising, much like braised tin fish it involved canned baked beans, simmered in fried finely sliced onions, green chillies and masala. I use vegetable curry masala, similarly you can also use a combination of chili powder and garam masala to make up the equivalent spice quantity.
To make bake beans curry like Amma, the onions always had to be finely sliced!, she was very particular about this, as were the green chillies, sliced into narrow slits.
Unlike other Durban curry, baked beans curry was one that never required a topping of fresh coriander!, it was the finely sliced onion and chillies that added both flavour and aesthetics.
The onions and green chillies should be fried until the onions are soft and slightly brown. Add the masala and fry for a minute or two until infused with the oil. Take care not to burn the masala, it is best to fry on low to moderate heat. Once the masala has fried, add the baked beans and bring to boil. Remove from stove and serve. Baked beans can be served both warm or cold.
Baked Beans Curry Recipe
Baked Beans Curry Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 can of baked beans (in tomato sauce)
- half onion
- 2 small green chillies
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vegetable curry masala (or 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon garam masala)
Instructions:
- Heat a pan with oil on medium heat.
- Slice onion fine into thin slices. Slice chili into thin long strips.
- Add onion and chilli to warm until. Fry until onions are soft and slightly brown.
- Add masala. Fry for a minute or two until the oil turns reddish brown.
- Add baked beans. Simmer on low heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from stove. Enjoy warm or cold.
Did you make this recipe?
How To Serve Baked Beans Curry
Baked beans curry is best served with grilled meat or sausages. For variations to this curry, add boiled eggs or viennas for a hearty meal.
Serve with bread, rice or soft roti.
As an expat living in Canada, your receipes and stories bring back fond memories of my life in South Africa. I did not realize just how much I miss the South African receipes until I found your blog. Thank you for sharing
Hi Tulip, Thanks for visiting, glad someone out there has as fond memories as I do of these beloved foods!
I just love your site. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to leave feedback!
Lovely..also make a chutney and add in baked beans
Great idea! Thanks for the tip! 🥰.
Hi beautiful recipes.
Takes me back to my mum also
Mouth watering recipes
<Thanks for sharing
Thank you, gonna chow with braai meat