IN Malaysia, baked beans are commonly associated with a full English breakfast, paired with a generous portion of eggs, sausage or mushrooms.
However, baked beans can actually be consumed in many ways that go beyond breakfast.
Baked beans are high in plant protein and in fibre, making it an ideal and affordable protein source for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The protein in baked beans helps with muscle growth, increases strength and helps with recovery and repair after a workout.
Due to its high protein content, baked beans can be a perfect alternative to meat for vegetarians. Its high fibre content meanwhile helps slow down the absorption of blood sugar, provides a feeling of satiety and a steady stream of energy throughout the day.
Baked beans also contain iron, lycopene and folate and the tomato sauce is a rich source of iron. Iron deficiency may lead to tiredness, lack of focus and low energy levels and in severe cases could result in anaemia.
For women planning their pregnancy, adding baked beans to their diet three months before conception ensures good levels of folate. Folate has been shown to reduce the probability of neural tube defects in babies. Baked beans are also virtually free of saturated fat – an easy way of reducing the risk of heart disease.
Ayam Brand has curated a series of non-breakfast baked beans recipes to introduce the next generation of consumers to the nutritional value, versatility, convenience and deliciousness of these protein and fibre-packed beans.
Ayam Brand Baked Beans use large northern Haricot beans for taste and texture and are free from preservatives and MSG, as well as being low in sodium and sugar.
Sardine Baked Beans with Lempeng
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 15 minutes, serves: 4 pax
Heat oil in a pan, add chopped onion, minced garlic and if you like it spicy, put some finely sliced green chilies into the pan. Sauté until fragrant.
Stir in a pack of Ayam Brand Chopped Tomatoes and some chilli paste and cook for a while on low heat. Add in the contents of one can of Ayam Brand Sardines in Tomato Sauce and one can of Ayam Brand Baked Beans. Allow to heat through, stirring occasionally until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Mini Jacket Potatoes with Baked Beans (suitable for vegetarians)
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 50 minutes, serves: 4 pax
Heat your oven to 180 degrees celsius. Wash 200g of baby potatoes (regular potatoes will work too but remember to but give them a good scrub and more time in the oven). Pat dry and prick all over with a fork.
Coat with olive oil and toss with salt. Arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Cut a tiny cross into the top of each potato, then lightly pinch the base to create an opening.
Top each potato with a teaspoon of Ayam Brand Baked Beans, a dash of chilli flakes and a sprinkling of chopped spring onion. To add tanginess, finish with a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Spaghetti with Baked Beans Sauce (suitable for vegetarians)
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 15 minutes, serves: 4 pax
Heat some oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and onion, fry until fragrant. Add half a can of Ayam Brand Tomato Puree and ground pepper, stirring for two minutes. Next add two cans of Ayam Brand Baked Beans, heat through and stir until well combined.
Use an immersion blender to blend into a paste to make a sauce. Don't have an immersion blender? Use the back of a ladle to mash the mixture or pour it into a blender to whizz.
Prepare the pasta according to instructions on the pack. Reserve one cup of pasta water for the sauce. Add the cooked pasta into the blended sauce. Combine well, adding some pasta water until the sauce reaches the consistency that you prefer.
To serve, garnish with chopped parsley. You may replace Ayam Brand Baked Beans with Ayam Brand Baked Beans Cheese if your kids prefer a creamier texture and cheesier taste in their pasta.
Baked Beans Patties (suitable for vegetarians)
Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 20 minutes, serves: 4 pax
This dish takes inspiration from the South Indian "vadai", and the Middle Eastern falafel.
Stir-fry finely chopped carrots, green chilies, and Ayam Brand Whole Kernel Corn with salt until softened.
In a big bowl, add in softened carrots, corn, green chilies and drained Ayam Brand Baked Beans Light which has 48 per cent less sugar. Then, mash all the ingredients together completely. Add some corn flour to this mixture to create a workable dough. Add some finely minced ginger, onion and coriander leaves to the mixture and mix well using your fingers. Season with salt and chilli powder to taste.
Shape into medium-sized patties. Coat patties in breadcrumbs and arrange on a plate. Heat oil in a shallow frying pan. Fry on one side until crispy, then flip and crisp up the other side. Fry in batches, and do not overcrowd the pan.
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