Friday, February 22, 2008

Spilling the beans....

Seems like everywhere I turn these days I read another article praising the health value and nutrition of beans. Sounds good. I'm thinking I'd like to have more of this awesome food source in my family's diet. One problem.


I've never eaten beans. I've never cooked them. I don't have a CLUE what to do with them. I have served refried beans for my husband when we have tacos, but they're just out of a can.


My mom didn't (doesn't?) like beans and never served them. So I grew up saying, "I don't like beans." But I never did really get around to trying them! When Henry was a baby I bought a can of black beans for him to try, and he really liked them. I tried them too but thought they were too salty, and I didn't buy them again.


And here is where YOU come in . . . . .


Anyone out there eat beans? Any suggestions, ideas, recipes, anything you'd like to share? I'd like to find a way to integrate some sort of beans into our diet. I might get a little resistance at first, but the kids are usually willing to try new things! Oh, and does anyone want to share with me what a lentil is? They are often listed along with beans and I don't even know what they are. I'm sure I can look it up on the internet, but I thought this might be more fun!

Thanks in advance!!!


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry friend, I'm no help at all. Alicia loves black beans and rice, Dave loves refried, but the only beans I make are baked beans with nothern whites, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and onion. I love those, but don't really eat others.

Alicia always says that black beans are good for you, but they just look yucky.

Kimmy said...

Lisa... we LOVE beans and eat them a lot. I can share great recipes with you... you can email me... kimmysboutique at yahoo dot com.

I appreciate the protein in beans over meat... I think I could easily become a vegetarian - but I guess we enjoy meat too much. Anyway... beans - they do a body good. ~ Kim

Heidi Jo Comes said...

kim, why don't you just post them for us all? that'd be sweet of ya:0)

soups, that all i got. beans in soups.

Lacy said...

If you rinse the black beans they shouldn't taste too salty. They add a lot of salt to the cans. I make a really good Black Bean Vegetable Soup...here's the recipe I found on allrecipes.com:
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups vegetable stock
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

DIRECTIONS
1) In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, garlic, and carrots, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is softened. Add chili powder and cumin; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add stock, 1 can of the beans, corn, and pepper; bring to boil.
2) Meanwhile, in food processor or blender, puree together tomatoes and remaining can of beans; add to pot. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.

I also make a really good taco soup that has kidney beans in it or white beans. From memory I think this is the exact recipe:)
1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 little can of chopped green chilis
1 can of corn (w/juice)
2 Tablespoons of taco seasoning
2 cans of kidney beans w/juice
optional small package of velveeta cheese

Cook ground meat, add all other ingrediants and cook in crock pot for 3 hours on high or just simmer on the stove until everything is heated thoroughly. Then, serve with chips. It's great!
Enjoy!
Lacy

Lacy said...

I also add yummy things to black beans in a small pot on the stove and just lightly stir till they are heated and mash up just a little(like onions, garlic, or you could add corn and chicken), then put them in tortillas, roll up, put cheese on top, and bake.
Good, healthy meal!
Okay, I'll stop now:)
Lacy

michelle said...

LOVE beans and lentils ROCK!

Our co-worker just brought me black beans from America...funny huh!

I make lentil tacos probably once a week....love them and they are good for you.

I have some recipes I can share but an easy way is to try allrecipes.com!

Momma Roar said...

Saw your new profile pic around and wanted to stop over and tell you I really like your new do!

Beans? We just eat 'em with hot dogs, chili and jambalaya. (I have both those recipes on my cooking blog) :)

R. E. Lueck said...

Of course I know what lentils are! They're very popular in Hebrew culture... well really the entire Mediterranean area. The main lentil dish is called mujaddara, if you're ever curious to look it up. It consists of lentils, wheat or rice, and onions (but these are optional). Anyway, I grew up on lentil soup. It's probably the best soup ever (or I could just be biased). It's quick and super cheap to make.

Did you know... there are many different kinds of lentils? Also, lentils have 26% protein, making them the vegetable with the highest level of protein other than soybeans.

P.S. Have you tried soy milk? It also does the body good. But only for women, men aren't supposed to drink it.

Unknown said...

Title: Pressure Cooked Pinto Beans
Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients

1 c Pinto beans; unsoaked
4 c Water
1 tb Oil

Instructions

Pick over beans, rinse and drain. Be sure to not fill the pressure cooker
above the halfway mark. Combine ingredients in the cooker and cook for 22
to 25 minutes. For firm cooked beans, check for doneness after minimum
time indicated. For soft cooked beans, add 2 extra minutes under high
pressure. When cooking time is up, quick release pressure by placing
cooker under cold running water. Drain immediately. Always clean the lid
and vent thoroughly after cooking beans.
Optional presoak: Cook the beans under high pressure for 1
minute, using 4cups of water per cup of dried beans. Quick release the pressure under cold running water, drain and rinse the beans. Always discard any loose or free floating bean skins before further cooking.
Follow cooking instructions above but adjust cooking time to 7 to 10
minutes. This recipe yields 2 cups cooked beans.

Comments: Add 3 cups of water and 1
tablespoon of oil for each additional cup of beans.

Unknown said...

This recipe is from the Coach House Restaurant up out of Denver. It is delish!

Coach House Black Bean Soup
1pound black beans 2 ½ qt. water
5 strips bacon cut in small pieces2 stalks chopped celery
2 med. Onions, chopped 2 Tbl flour
2 smoked ham hocks split 3 lb. beef bones
3 sprigs parsley 2 cloves garlic, halved
2 carrots, cut in pieces
2 parsnips, chopped ¼ t. ground pepper
2 t. salt ¼ cup Madeira
2 hard cooked eggs
lemon slices, sprinkled with parsley



Wash beans, cover with cold water and soak overnight. Drain and wash again. Place in casserole and add 2 ½ qts. Cold water. Cover and simmer 90 min. Cook bacon in heavy kettle for a few minutes. Add celery and onion and cook until tender. Do not brown. Blend in flour and cook, stirring for 1 min. Add ham and beef bones, parsley, bay leaves, garlic, carrots, parsnips, pepper, salt and beans with the cooking liquid. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally for 4 hours. Add more water if necessary. Remove bone and ham rind or hocks and blend half of the soup in blender. Remove any meat from ham bone or hocks, chop fine and return to soup. Add blended soup. Add wine and chopped eggs. Mix well. Garnish with lemon.