Elevating mundane dishes.

[Derventio]

Nearly everyone likes the traditional beans on toast.

But...

How about this for a variation that my wife came up with: Toast two open Ciabatta cobs(rolls/baps, if you are not from Derbyshire) instead of toast, top cobs with oak smoked ham, top ham with sliced cheddar cheese (the stronger the better), toast until cheese is bubbling and going brown. add beans on top.

Voila, posh beans on toasts. It's ruddy delicious!

So what are your variations on ordinary dishes that just elevate them above the mundane?

[Scrump]

That is not beans on toast.
You are describing a variety of free range legumes in an organic tomato coulis with melted artisanal mature cheddar on toasted sourdough ciabatta… or cheesy beans on a bap

[21TonyK]

Cheese on toast for me...



I try to use home made sourdough when available but in this instance thick farmhouse loaf sliced extra thick.

[Stella Tortoise]

21TonyK said:

Cheese on toast for me...



I try to use home made sourdough when available but in this instance thick farmhouse loaf sliced extra thick.

A couple of drips of Worcestershire sauce on top?

[21TonyK]

Stella Tortoise said:

A couple of drips of Worcestershire sauce on top?

Just a couple, some in the mix as well.

[Luke.]

Fairly basic one, but my go to lunch is M&S cream of tomato soup. Then I add chili flakes, mature grated cheese and loads of pepper.

[Stella Tortoise]

I really like Heinz tomato sauce alongside cottage pie.

Not elevating in a poncy way but bloody ACE!

[BritishBlitz87]

A teaspoon of mustard seeds adds just the right amount of kick to a portion of mashed potatoes.

[Mobile Chicane]

Truffle oil. Used *very* sparingly elevates any fish or potato dish.

Also 'garum' - or its modern equivalent - 'colatura di alici' - on any pasta.

[prand]

I keep a jar of chinese Crispy Chilli in oil in the cupboard, add it to rice, stir fries etc.

A teaspoon if it elevates a curry Pot Noodle into gourmet territory

[AndyAudi]

OP mentioned beans I toast so will share this link as I’ve taken to doing my beans like this & she shows it well..

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CaXIX6_oMnh/?utm_me...

My simple thing “elevated”. Is poaching things in red wine. Flavour & colour awesome

Chorizo in 2” chunks boiled in red wine is ace
Then poach an egg in the red wine
Retain red wine/chorizo & use in a casserole

[tomsugden]

A teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and a little parmesan as well as cheddar, titivates a cheese sauce!

[jet_noise]

Scrump said:

That is not beans on toast.
You are describing a variety of free range legumes in an organic tomato coulis with melted artisanal mature cheddar on toasted sourdough ciabatta… or cheesy beans on a bap

And any non-porous layer 'twixt beans & bread nixes one of b-o-t's standout features - the gooey, buttery, saucy flavour & textural heart which is the centre of the toast left till last, beans fully consumed.

My beans elevator - just lots of black pepper. While cooking, not added at serving.

Same for mushy peas. Even better to include a very small amount of fried finely chopped smoked bacon incl. any rendered fat.

ETA my elevations

Edited by jet_noise on Saturday 12th March 11:35

[Pixelpeep 135]

Geen pepper tabasco sauce in the Singapore curry naked noddle pot nom nom nom!

[eharding]

I do like cooking seafood chowders from scratch, but preparation can be a faff if you're not in the mood - so a couple of cartons of fresh golden vegetable soup with some flaked smoked mackerel with some cooked prawns and mussels, and some thinly sliced chili provides comparatively instant gratification, although keeping the soup very gently simmering for a while lets the mackerel infuse through the rest of it nicely.

Also another fan of truffle oil, now a must with any sort of pasta.

Hungry now - heads to the fridge to see what's in stock.....

[robwilk]

Red Tabasco sauce in beans when heating them up. add a good splash works great when they are on a full English.

[seefarr]

French toast / egg bread, my mum's recipe:

Two slices of bread dipped in egg, fried one side in butter.
Flip one, slap on pesto and Parmesan sliced with a vegetable peeler, salt and pepper.
Put 2nd slice on top of 1st slice in the appropriate manner.
Leave a minute for cheese to melt and flip.

[ruggedscotty]

add marmite to beef gravy when making a roast beef dinner

[sean ie3]

I often flash up tinned mushy peas with white pepper and vinegar, also M&S tommie sauce replaces tomato puree in any recipe. ; D

[Derventio]

seefarr said:

French toast / egg bread, my mum's recipe:

Two slices of bread dipped in egg, fried one side in butter.
Flip one, slap on pesto and Parmesan sliced with a vegetable peeler, salt and pepper.
Put 2nd slice on top of 1st slice in the appropriate manner.
Leave a minute for cheese to melt and flip.

I will most definitely be trying this!