We do not know about you, but when we went to the grocery store during “early quarantine days” the shelves were empty! We typically purchase a variety of beans to make delicious veggie-based meals and salads. So, let’s talk about what we can do with all of those beans!
First, let’s talk about the health benefits of including beans in your diet. Beans provide a vegetarian source of protein which obviously helps us maintain and repair our bodies. Beans are also a great source of B vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Thus, they help prevent heart disease, control glucose metabolism, provide a feeling of fullness, and best of all, they keep you regular! Nobody wants to be constipated! Makes you cranky!
Here are just a few ways that we like to use beans in our weekly menus. Garbanzo beans or chickpeas are very versatile, and we make them many different ways. Season with olive oil and your favorite spices and roast for a great healthy snack. Our favorite is chili-lime roasted chickpeas! Don’t knock them until you try them! Google the recipe! Make a chickpea curry. Vegetable soup or chili is a great way to utilize pinto and black beans. We also love making Mexican dishes with these beans, especially corn and black bean salad with red peppers, onion, and celery OR bean burritos, fajitas, or Mexican layered dip. We love making lentils into a stew or substituting them where you would typically use meat. Make your own veggie burgers too! Black bean veggie burgers are our favorite!
We don’t know about you, but we grew up on three-bean salad. Here is our scratch version! Cook a pound of fresh green beans, add a can of drained kidney beans and cannellini beans (white). Dress with vinaigrette. We like this recipe: ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 1 T sugar, ¼ small onion, minced, 1 clove garlic, minced, ½ tsp salt, fresh chopped basil. Toss together and refrigerate. We like to drizzle with some good olive oil prior to serving and add a little more chopped basil and fresh ground pepper. If you like some heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
So next time you open your cabinets and you see all those beans in there, take out a can and use your imagination! Make something healthy and delicious!
