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Many moons ago I took 4 teenagers from West Virginia to a youth retreat in Wales. One evening, all the Brit youth were excited that it was the evening that we would have beans on Toast for dinner. The USA contingent asked me what “Beans on Toast” was. I said, “Well. It's beans on toast.” “That's it?” They asked. “Just beans. On Toast?” They truly could not grasp how that would be something to look forward to.
And, looking at it through fresh eyes, it is kind of peculiar. When you live in a culture like the USA, where even a straightforward sandwich can feature multiples layers of meat, cheese and salad items, covered in a variety of dressings... it can be a shock to the system to see such disparity on display, as just beans on a piece of toast.
But of course, I grew up in the UK where Beans on Toast was considered a staple item on many a menu. It could function as a breakfast course (my favorite), as lunch or even dinner or teatime. Yes... there were occasions when brown sauce, eggs and tomatoes would be added to the mix, but good old beans (preferably Heinz) on thick buttered toast fulfilled my dietary needs for at least one meal of many a day.
Though no longer in my homelands, I still enjoy the feast. News of my fascination with Beans on Toast even made it to Bluestone Youth Camp in West Virginia, where the lovely Cheryl Miller has indulged my culinary desire on a number of occasions. Though it has to be by special order.
I am guessing it rose to prominence in the UK as it was a cheap and cheerful meal in times of economic uncertainty. I recall a housing estate in one community we lived in being described as “The Baked Bean Estate” because it consisted mostly of homes which were probably a little pricier than their owners could afford. So, to keep up with the bills and mortgage payments, they were living off numerous meals of Beans on Toast.
In the extended version of the 1979 Two Tone Classic by “The Specials” there is a line that says, “You've done too much, Much too young, Now you're chained to the cooker, Making beans on toast for tea”
The voices at the beginning and the end of the recording are from an episode of the classic northern Soap Opera “Coronation Street” Beans on Toast? Mmm. Lovely.
© Adrian J Pratt December 2009
Wake up in the morning and I'm
Wondering what breakfast might be...
Will it be my favorite thing,
What I most enjoy with my cup of tea.
I want Beans on Toast
I want Beans on Toast
I want Beans on Toast
That's what I like
The most
Beans on Toast
I don't want no cream cheese bagel
No pancakes at my breakfast table
I don't want no Museli
There's only one thing that satisfies me
I want Beans on Toast
I want Beans on Toast
I want Beans on Toast
That's what I like
The most
Beans on Toast
Don't be bringing me any milk and Corn Flakes
For me bacon and egg they ain't got what it takes
Leave out your yoghurt and your fruit and your cheese
There's something that I want more than any of these...
I want Beans on Toast
I want Beans on Toast
I want Beans on Toast
That's what I like
The most
Beans on Toast