Yesterday, the BBC posted a story about a new strain of beans that have been developed specifically to be 'flatulance free'.  I sent out an email to a bunch of my friends  proclaiming the fact that now we will be able to eat beans on toast in 'peace'!

Most of my friends (and family for that matter) didn't know what I was talking about.  "Who's eating beans on toast?" asked Robert.  I replied with the following tidbit from the British Nutrition Foundation website: 

Most plant food proteins (with the exception of soya) have a low content of one or more of the amino acids needed by the body (usually referred to as indispensable or essential amino acids).  Furthermore, different ones are missing in different plant foods. Therefore, plant foods can be combined to provide high quality protein. Complementary combinations include:

• Pulses/rice – bean casserole and rice, dhal and rice
• Pulses/cereal - baked beans on toast
• Nuts/cereal – peanut butter sandwich, nut roast

If the proteins from different plant sources are eaten together (or at least over a day), the amino acid profiles of the plant proteins will complement each other.

This led to accusations that I had started a beans on toast conspiracy, and general disbelief that people would eat such things.  I replied by saying that even the British Heart Foundation approves of the staple British meal.  I myself enjoy a bit of the old jolly after a long morning's row.

And then, my old and faithful roommate from St. Olaf, Tom, stepped up to the plate:

Alright, while not generally one to be swayed by talk of health when choosing foods, I'm willing to take the plunge in the name of futhering American/British understanding and actually try out this whole crazy sounding "beans on toast" thing.  Kate is away at class tonight, so I'm on my own for dinner.  I'll crack open a can of baked beans and fire up the toaster.  (And, per Sam's suggestion, I'll add a little scrambled egg to the mix.)  To be honest though I find the picture on the British Heart Foundation's website not so appetizing. But if I've tried "Potted Meat Food Product", this can't be that bad, right?  :-P

The man's a legend.  I don't know what he won't do in the name of further the horizons of 'interesting' food.  And the result of his experiment?  You can see for yourself , but here are his comments:

I was sceptical beforehand, but having now tried it I'll admit, beans on toast is not too bad.  I think the eggs definitely added something.  I'm not sure I'd do straight beans on toast.  My beans sat on the stove for a little too long while I waited for the bacon to finish, so there's an opportunity for future study involving better beans.

Kate just got home and I showed her the pictures.  She says she'sworried about me, specifically how I'm going to get through the next couple of weeks while she's busy finishing up class and dance if I'm already to the point of eating beans on toast and chronicling it on the web.  :-)

Tom, the only comment I have for you is that, yeah, I think the beans were cooked a little too long.  I'll bring over some Heinz baked beans this summer (or perhaps the new flatulance free kind!) and we'll give it another go.