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Adam D
Lv 7
Adam D asked in Food & DrinkCooking & Recipes · 9 years ago

Creative uses for beans?

I would like to add beans (dried, purchased by the pounds) to my pantry and incorporate them more into meals.

The problem: my wife doesn't like beans. Her main exposure to them has been baked beans, and pinto beans cooked to be served with corn bread. She does like black beans used in soups or chili, and green beans, but I'd like to be able to use other kinds of beans as well.

I'm looking for some culinary uses for beans which will make them less "beany" for someone who typically isn't into them.

Update:

CMC, while I love minestrone, I think you missed the point of the question (maybe I didn't ask directly enough). I'm looking to mask the beans, so that when someone bites into one they get more of the other flavors and less of the bean. I've always been able to taste the beans in minestrone, do you think perhaps that seasoning while soaking will allow the beans to take up enough other flavors to hide them? I eat anything and everything, but my wife is a picky eater.

Update 2:

While the brownies sound great (I'm definitely going to give that a shot), they still don't quite address the issue here. I want to add beans to our diets regularly - they are cheap, and very healthy. Adding a dessert item kind of defeats the purpose. You don't have to give me an excuse to eat more desserts! :-P

Update 3:

While the brownies sound great (I'm definitely going to give that a shot), they still don't quite address the issue here. I want to add beans to our diets regularly - they are cheap, and very healthy. Adding a dessert item kind of defeats the purpose. You don't have to give me an excuse to eat more desserts! :-P

4 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I live in Michigan and beans is one of our most bountiful harvests. My husband has always loved to eat healthy so we took the kids to the Michigan Bean Commission (and Eden Foods) where we took a tour, got free cookbooks and purchased each type of bean. The entire experience was very enlightening and they also had cookbooks by the American Cancer Society.

    I have put their website/recipes on line below. I have tried several and they are really delicious. Right on the site is a recipe for Bean Casserole and Chicken Breasts. I think that is a good and non-intimidating way to change her perception of beans. I also serve that dish with Salmon or any other fish I have on hand. The Pasta e Fagioli is also very good, but I add sauteed bacon and or italian or chicken sausage to make it more like Olive Garden's version of the soup. Start with things she like would ordinarily and move into other recipes. My husband had the same issues with beans in that as a child he mainly had them with cornbread so I can understand your dilemma.

    You can purchase the cookbooks, but it appears that all the recipes and more are actually listed on the site. The cookbooks are pamphlet like, and are actually good to have on hand, but are free if you go there.

    http://www.michiganbean.org/recipes/#maindishes

    Best Wishes.

  • C.M. C
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Adam, I use a brand called barlotti they have a mauve stripe in them, or you can use a white bean, and I soak them from like afternoon overnight, changing the water about three times. I make what is called a minestrone, it has green beans in it as well as the other veggies, but those beans that have been soaking, I boil, and add to the rest when tender. With the other veggies and potatoes and other stuff she will like it. Also I use 4 ups of stock, and four cups of water, make sure you add freshly ground black pepper, taste if you need salt, also a bay leaf won't hurt, and you can freeze the left overs. great way to clear out the vegetable drawer.

  • Salt and Peppy
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    Black bean brownies! Super good!

    You will need:

    Boxed brownie mix

    1 can black beans (15 oz?)

    Drain the black beans, and rinse well. Then, put the beans back into the can, and fill can with fresh water. Empty the contents into a blender, and blend until smooth. Add this puree to the boxed brownie mix, and mix well. Cook according to the box directions. Your wife will never know, unless you tell her.

    Chris almost had it. You DO need to add water to the beans for this to work.

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Mash them like mashed potatoe after cooked and mix it with it. Your wife will never know.

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