Unusual ingredient you need to add to baked beans - and it's not what you'd think

Baked beans, a staple in many , is a timeless comfort food that dates back centuries, with Henry first bringing canned baked beans to the UK shores in 1886. While some folks prefer a simple seasoning of salt and pepper - or even none at all - there's an unexpected ingredient that could revolutionise your beans.

Miss South, in her book 'Slow Cooked' which boasts 200 recipes, suggests that a dash of pomegranate molasses can be a game-changer. She wrote: "Adding in some pomegranate molasses to give a savoury depth instead of meat converted me back to them and I love this Brixton version.

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"Pomegranate molasses is sweet, sour and savoury all at once compared to the regular version." Incorporating pomegranate molasses into baked beans adds an extraordinary layer of flavour.

The pomegranate's sweetness offsets the richness of the beans, creating a delightful savoury-sweet juxtaposition that takes the dish to new heights, reports .

It also imparts a subtle tart, fruity note, cutting through the density of the beans and adding to the dish's overall flavour profile. Miss South's concoction includes blending pomegranate molasses with chopped tomatoes, onions, tomato purée, a touch of sugar, paprika, cloves, and mustard.

This twist on the classic is affectionately dubbed Brixton Baked Beans, with the pomegranate lending a robust dimension to the beloved dish.

Simply add water, stir well, and let it simmer for hours until the beans are soft and the sauce has reached the perfect consistency.

If you're pressed for time, you can alternatively bake them in the oven for an hour to an hour and a half.

The pomegranate molasses lend a savoury umami depth to the dish without overpowering it, whilst also infusing a contemporary Mediterranean twist to this classic comfort food.