Transform Your Meals: Discover the Secret Bean Recipes You'll Adore and Never Throw Away Again!
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Beans, the humble pantry staple, often overlooked and underappreciated, are about to become the star of your kitchen with these creative and delicious recipes. Whether you're a seasoned bean aficionado or just looking to add more plant-based variety to your meals, these ideas will inspire you to see beans in a whole new light.
Karla Zazueta, the author of Nortena, grew up with a family tradition of making a big batch of pinto beans every Monday, a practice she continues to this day. In many Mexican households, beans are a daily dietary staple, and Zazueta's method for preparing frijoles de la olla is a testament to their cultural significance. By soaking dried beans and simmering them with onion, garlic, and epazote (or bay leaves as a substitute), you create a flavorful base that can be transformed throughout the week. Garnish with fresh onion, coriander, cheese, and spicy salsa or jalapeños for a vibrant and satisfying dish.
But don't stop there! Those same beans can be fried up for a traditional Mexican breakfast side or turned into a sauce for enfrijoladas, a dish similar to enchiladas but with a bean-based sauce enveloping the corn tortillas. Mashed black beans add a delightful texture to quesadillas, and when blended with bean liquid, chipotle, and salt, they make an excellent taco filling.
Across the pond in London, chef-owner Anna Tobias of Cafe Deco champions the underutilized black-eye beans. She suggests sweating onions with garlic, adding paprika, tomatoes, beans, and a bay leaf, and then baking the mixture. Top it with a boiled egg for a hearty meal, or add sausages for a more substantial dinner, accompanied by a side of greens.
Braising is another versatile technique for beans, as Rosie Mackean, author of Good Time Cooking, points out. She recommends a Spanish lentil stew called lentejas, which becomes creamy and rich when made with kidney beans. Adding chorizo, potato, cumin, and a splash of red wine elevates the dish, and a bright salsa verde or gremolata at the end can add a pop of color and flavor.
Mackean also suggests using beans in pies as a meat substitute, creating a comforting pot pie with kidney beans, cavolo nero, and a creamy sauce. For a smooth bean dip, blend brown beans with roasted tomatoes or peppers to achieve a bean romesco, topped with sizzling brown butter and dill. Remember to add an ice cube during blending for extra creaminess, and serve with crusty bread or crisps for dunking.
For a snack that doubles as a meal enhancer, try roasting beans. Mackean advises draining and drying kidney, black, or cannellini beans, seasoning them with salt, spices, and cornflour, and then baking until crisp. These can be tossed into salads or enjoyed on their own, perhaps with a cocktail in hand.
The versatility of beans is truly remarkable, and with these recipes, you'll never look at a can or bag of beans the same way again. They're not just a side dish; they're a canvas for culinary creativity. So next time you're pondering what to cook, reach for the beans and let your imagination run wild.
We'd love to hear from you, our dear Seniors Discount Club members! Have you tried any of these bean transformations? Do you have a beloved bean recipe passed down through generations? Share your experiences and recipes in the comments below, and let's celebrate the beauty of beans together! If you're facing a culinary conundrum, don't hesitate to reach out to us for advice. Happy cooking!
Karla Zazueta, the author of Nortena, grew up with a family tradition of making a big batch of pinto beans every Monday, a practice she continues to this day. In many Mexican households, beans are a daily dietary staple, and Zazueta's method for preparing frijoles de la olla is a testament to their cultural significance. By soaking dried beans and simmering them with onion, garlic, and epazote (or bay leaves as a substitute), you create a flavorful base that can be transformed throughout the week. Garnish with fresh onion, coriander, cheese, and spicy salsa or jalapeños for a vibrant and satisfying dish.
But don't stop there! Those same beans can be fried up for a traditional Mexican breakfast side or turned into a sauce for enfrijoladas, a dish similar to enchiladas but with a bean-based sauce enveloping the corn tortillas. Mashed black beans add a delightful texture to quesadillas, and when blended with bean liquid, chipotle, and salt, they make an excellent taco filling.
Several chefs shared their recipes involving beans, showcasing its versatility. Image Credit: Pexels/Ela Haney
Across the pond in London, chef-owner Anna Tobias of Cafe Deco champions the underutilized black-eye beans. She suggests sweating onions with garlic, adding paprika, tomatoes, beans, and a bay leaf, and then baking the mixture. Top it with a boiled egg for a hearty meal, or add sausages for a more substantial dinner, accompanied by a side of greens.
Braising is another versatile technique for beans, as Rosie Mackean, author of Good Time Cooking, points out. She recommends a Spanish lentil stew called lentejas, which becomes creamy and rich when made with kidney beans. Adding chorizo, potato, cumin, and a splash of red wine elevates the dish, and a bright salsa verde or gremolata at the end can add a pop of color and flavor.
Mackean also suggests using beans in pies as a meat substitute, creating a comforting pot pie with kidney beans, cavolo nero, and a creamy sauce. For a smooth bean dip, blend brown beans with roasted tomatoes or peppers to achieve a bean romesco, topped with sizzling brown butter and dill. Remember to add an ice cube during blending for extra creaminess, and serve with crusty bread or crisps for dunking.
For a snack that doubles as a meal enhancer, try roasting beans. Mackean advises draining and drying kidney, black, or cannellini beans, seasoning them with salt, spices, and cornflour, and then baking until crisp. These can be tossed into salads or enjoyed on their own, perhaps with a cocktail in hand.
The versatility of beans is truly remarkable, and with these recipes, you'll never look at a can or bag of beans the same way again. They're not just a side dish; they're a canvas for culinary creativity. So next time you're pondering what to cook, reach for the beans and let your imagination run wild.
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