frankie Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 The question is simple (I think): What's the difference between cooked and baked beans? I've tried googling but can't seem to notice any difference between the two. Are the beans that I have in tin cans baked or cooked? Or are there both baked and cooked beans sold in tin cans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 As far as the UK is concerned (not sure about elsewhere), baked beans are a tin of haricot beans in a tomato sauce, where as cooked beans are any beans that have cooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 Hm... I understand that and wikipedia seems to agree with you (did more research on the subject), but it's still kind of confusing to me, since I'm not sure what haricot beans are and if the tomato sauce is essential. What I'm trying to say, I have no idea whether the beans I usually buy in tin cans (including tomato sauce) are baked or just cooked. And there are no instructions in English. I don't know if that makes any sense... Edit: Here's a question that might clarify the issue: seeing as all beans in tin cans are cooked, are the haricot beans the only ones that are so called baked beans? And the rest is just cooked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Yes, it's only haricot beans in tomato sauce that we know as baked beans. Baked beans is really just a recipe name rather than the description of the cooking process (typical English!). You can still get haricot beans cooked and tinned without the tomato sauce and they would probably be labelled cooked haricot beans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 Okay, now I get it Thanks! It's just weird that they'd make such a 'drastic' difference, I have this recipe that I'm going to try out and it says I should used cooke beans, not baked beans. Like, what's the fuzz about?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Cooked as opposed to raw I would imagine they mean, like red kidney beans etc. All beans can be bought raw I think and you have to 'cook' them before adding them to dishes, if you see what I mean! All 'beans' that are in tins will have been 'cooked' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 Inver, yep I figured that much out. I once bought plain beans and had to cook them for myself and the instructions were kind of vague and lacking, and they turned out pretty horrible. Since then I've stuck to cooked beans in tin cans The 'baked' beans just sounded weird to me, I thought it meant that you do something to the beans after the cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 The beans you buy in packets as opposed to tins normally have to be soaked for a good few hours, sometimes overnight, before boiling them, whereas the ones in tins have already been prepared and are ready to eat straight from the tin, either cold in salads for example, or stirred into things like stews or chilli. Baked beans are of course just cooked haricot beans in tomato sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peacefield Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Is it because I'm American that I don't know what haricot beans are? For us, baked beans can be many different kinds of beans (kidney, great northern, etc) baked in the oven with tomato sauce, brown sugar and bacon. Very tasty when they are homemade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Is it because I'm American that I don't know what haricot beans are? For us, baked beans can be many different kinds of beans (kidney, great northern, etc) baked in the oven with tomato sauce, brown sugar and bacon. Very tasty when they are homemade! I agree. The best ones are slow simmered for hours (my dad uses a little dutch oven that looks somewhat like Pooh Bear's honey jar). The bacon is what makes them, though my uncle also puts onions in his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawr Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Baked beans all da way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 I've never heard of haricot beans. I do love baked beans! I get the Bush brand can beans, and then bake them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladd Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Has to be Heinz after all Beanz Meanz Heinz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Ahaa! The recipe that I'm trying is an American one so maybe the cook is trying to say don't go baking them beans and adding sugar and bacon and whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 The other day I added some lightly fried bits of bacon and peppers to my Heinz beans & sausages - it was glorious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 For me, it's baked beans on toast with grated cheese on top. Mmmmmm. But, I don't like Heinz beans (or their tomato soup) as they tend to use too much pepper for my taste. I actually like the tomato sauce quite thin, and tend to prefer the supermarket value ranges. (For tomato soup, it has to be Baxters). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I think Haricot beans are known as 'navy beans' in the US? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirinrob Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Correct Janet. Not my favourite bean, unless its in Sobronade. I often make Beans and Pasta using Berlotti beans - yummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I've just Googled Sobronade and it sounds very nice. I love beans. Butter beans are one of my favourites in a stew. And broad beans (fresh) are simply gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirinrob Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Fresh broad beans that are small and sweet are amazing. Often put them ( I grow my own) lightly steamed in a salad - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I grew them for the first time last year. They were lovely, if I say so myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Mmm, beans and pasta... I must learn how to make that, but I'm fearful it will never be as good as my Mum's - she makes a mean beans and pasta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Baked red beans mixed up with spices and brown rice is a really good meal. Its very common down in the south (Louisana in particular). I just do a little modification and use a packet of chili seasoning, and 1 cup of beans to 2 cups (uncooked) rice. Add a little bit of water and some butter and yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirinrob Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 That sounds very yum - is it Cajun food by any chance, as I would like to learn Cajun cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 It is, though you see it a lot in Mexco too. Cajun food is fantastic. Jambalaya is one of my favourite meals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.