Maple Baked Beans

FOR THE BAKED BEANS

• 1 green pepper, halved
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 x 400g mixed bean salad
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp smoke paprika
• 3 tbsp pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably dark syrup for its robust taste)
• 1 tsp English mustard
• 1/2 vegetable stock melt

FOR THE TOPPING

• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp pure Canadian maple syrup (preferably golden colour for its delicate flavour)
• 2 thick slices of bread

1. Turn the oven to 200oC. Cut the green pepper halves into small pieces and place in an ovenproof dish.
2. Peel and crush the garlic, drain the beans and add to the ovenproof dish. Add the tin of chopped tomatoes to the beans.
3. Quarter fill the empty tomato can with water (approx. 100ml) and add the water to the dish.
4. Add the tomato puree, dried oregano, paprika, pure maple syrup, English mustard and stock.
5. Cook the beans in the oven for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, put 2 teaspoons dried oregano into a big bowl, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a big bowl. Add 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup and mix together.
6. Tear the slices of bread into small bite size pieces, add to the bowl and mix together with a spoon until all the bread is coated in the oil mixture.
7. Take the beans out of the oven, sprinkle the croutons over the top and put back into the oven for another 10 – 15 minutes, until the bread is golden.