Thursday, January 27, 2011

We're Fulla Beans!



Beans are a great staple to have in the pantry. 
We use them quite often, as we eat meatless
at least twice a week.
They are one of the best ways to stretch your food budget while adding important nutrition to your family's diet.
I add them to meatloaf, burgers, casseroles, soups, stews,
even my lil' guy's desserts (shhhh!), as he needs the
extra fiber in his diet.  One of the best things about beans
is that they absorb flavors from other foods, so the range
of possibilities is pretty much endless!  They are as
comfortable in a spicy Mexican taco as in a bowl of
mellow Italian minestrone or in yummy chick pea burgers.
Beans-They're what's for dinner!





Pre-soaking is a good idea and couldn't be easier. 
Simply place your beans in a bowl with ample water
to cover and let sit overnight. 
If you're in a hurry, you can quick-soak. 
This simply means putting your beans in a pot
with a ratio of 2 to 1 (2 parts water to 1 part beans),
bring it to the boil and then take it off the heat
and let it sit on the stove for 1 hour. 
When you're ready to cook, toss the water
(we reuse ours to water plants), and add fresh water.
This works for black, red, white, navy,
garbanzo, and adzuki beans.
Black-eyed peas, lentils and split peas
don't need pre-soaking.





Add twice the amount of water as beans to cook.



Put in a garlic clove and bay leaf.
Bring the beans to a boil and
then turn down to simmer up to 2 hours,
depending on the type of bean. 
Test for doneness by taking one out
and mashing it with a fork.


Freeze in jars or baby food containers
for up to 6 months.





15 comments:

  1. I love beans, but unfortunately, my kids are not huge fans... yet!

    By the way, I wanted to let you know you won my heart felt giveaway on my blog this morning! Just e-mail me your address at sunshine-mama@live.ca and I will send them to you very shortly :)

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  2. Is that first picture your bean stash?? If so I am utter awe. We eat a LOT of beans here and that selection is awesome.

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  3. what a great idea to reuse bean water to water plants! I'll have to start doing that :)

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  4. Daisy, you are so organized. I love the display of beans...very nice in the kitchen. Beans are a favorite!!!

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  5. Good gravy, girl, you are one Organizing Diva! No rolled-bags with a piece of tape or a clothespin in your pantry. I feel so inadequate now.

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  6. Sunsine Mama-You can add just a few bean to a recipe and little by little increase it.
    Yipppeee! Thank you! I couldn't find your email addy though. Can you email me privately?

    Jane-No, but I just couldn't resist this picture. It's so me.

    Farming Mama-We also let water cool after steaming or boiling veggies and use it for our plants.
    Every lil' bit helps!

    Susan & Floridagirl-The picture is not my pantry, but it could be, if I had that many beans! I save jars and keep as many things as possible in glass. We are phasing out plastic in this house.

    I've never heard anyone else use the expression "Good Gravy" but me!
    Great minds and all that...

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  7. Sunshine Mama-never mind, I just reread your post and I see your addy there. Oh, it's been a loooong day! ;0)

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  8. Daisy,
    We go through spells of eating beans and then not. Although I always have a batch of fresh hummus in the frig. It is my go-to snack with fresh veggies. This week I made a fabulous lentil bean soup with veggies. I can live off of it for days. You are right. They are a great substitute for meat. You've got me curious about how you add them to dessert????
    Meems

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  9. We love hummus here too. I saw a new way to make it the other day, adding sweet potatoes to it. I'll have to try that. My lil' guy loves sweet potatoes.

    For the desserts, you just mash some white or black beans up (depending on what you're making), and add it to the batter. I use black beans for brownies and white beans for light-colored stuff. You won't even know they're in there! Any added fiber I can get into my boy is fantastic!

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  10. I'm making baked beans right now...I love how everyone has their favorite type to make baked beans with...it's such a versatile ingredient and a versatile meal.

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  11. City Sister-I hope you'll share your recipe on your blog.

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  12. Nothing easier than cooking beans in a solar oven :-)

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  13. I can never remember to soak the bean over night and they don't get done enough for my family's liking when I quick soak them. So, my solution is to pressure can a few pints or quarts at a time and keep them on my pantry shelf. Our freezer space is limited because we're off grid.

    I put 1/3 C beans (any kind will work) 1/2 tsp salt. Cover with boiling water, place lid and ring on and pressure can at 15 pounds pressure for 60 minutes.

    Ease and convenient!!

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  14. Freedom Acres Farm-I am scared to use a pressure cooker. Thanks for the info. Anything that makes life easier is a blessing!

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