Beans (dried)

[homefire]

A staple in my pantry would be dried beans. Originally from the south (Texas), the large hispanic population know how to make a little go a long way. Bean soup, refried beans are especially versatile. Refried beans are cooked beans (usually Pinto) that are smashed to a course consistency. You can sprinkle cheddar cheese, a dollup of sour cream or yohurt on top. A satisfying hot dish and cheap to boot! I am really curious as to what my friends across the pond cook and use dried beans. Are they as economical and cheap as they are here? If you add a rice dish to the meal you have a complete protein ( I seem to have read this somewhere, hope I'm right!)

[frozenthunderbolt]

If you add a rice dish to the meal you have a complete protein ( I seem to have read this somewhere, hope I'm right!)

Correct. Best of course with brown rice, even better with corn products included as well. If growing your own maize consider looking up nixtimilisation (sp) to gain the most from it.

[Millymollymandy]

There was a thread here somewhere discussing drying borlotti beans because a lot of folk got weevils of some sort in their dried beans so the tip was to dry them, freeze them for 24 hours to kill the larvae then redry before storing.

Mine seem to dry fine till I got them out the cupboard 6 months later and discovered they'd started going mouldy.

So I'll just freeze them all probably as I never got round to using the dried ones during the winter anyway as I already had a load frozen - but they go well in so many dishes like casseroles or curries or bean salads. I have plenty of bought dried beans that I use - but it does involve forward planning and soaking!

[Millymollymandy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixtamalization

[frozenthunderbolt]

10/10 MMM ta, - easy to do and so much better for you :-)

[Millymollymandy]

10/10 MMM ta, - easy to do and so much better for you :-)

I think it might be easier just to take a Vit B (niacin) tablet to stave off the disease from not doing it lol Yes I read all about it this morning as I'd never heard of it, interesting subject that actually.

[jim]

Dear Homefire,

If you add a rice dish to the meal you have a complete protein ( I seem to have read this somewhere, hope I'm right!)

Rice and beans/Protein Complementarity. You probably read it in "Diet for a small planet" by Frances Moore Lappe or "Recipes for a small planet" by Ellen Buchman Ewald (Ballentine Books 1971 & 73) old hippie manuals from my bookshelves. Those were the days my friend!

Love and Peace
Jim

[homefire]

Jim, you are so right My mother lived by that book.

[jim]

Dear Homefire,

My mother lived by that book.

Shows my age!

Love and Peace
Jim

[grubbysoles]

I've recently got really into dried beans. I turned veggie a few months ago and since then have completely re-stocked my cupboards with every imaginable dried bean! Yes, they are fantastically cheap (I think a bag of dried beans - any kind - costs about £1 in most supermarkets, and once they're soaked and cooked they seem to pretty much triple in size), they're good for you, and they really bulk out a meal and make it hearty.

I've also recently been having a go at sprouting beans. You have to be REALLY well-organised for that one! Soaking first, then draining, leaving in a tub somewhere, rinsing and draining again daily for about 3 days. It's a right old hoo-ha but is meant to massively increase the nutrient profile (or something!). I think the idea is you eat them raw once they've sprouted, but I found the taste of this pretty yuk so just cook them for 5 mins to get the nice taste back in there. I bought a book called The Sprouters Handbook (can't remember name of author) - quite interesting if you're into nutrition. I just can't get my head around the raw thing.

[jim]

Dear Grubbysoles,

Try stir-frying spring onions then tipping in your bean sprouts for a minute or so before tipping out onto noodles or rice,

Love and Peace
Jim

[grubbysoles]

Thanks Jim, will try that with the next batch

[jim]

Dear Grubbysoles,

No problem, enjoy! (Soy sauce helps too!)

Love and Peace
Jim

[JessieMac]

Thanks for the tip Jim, just bought the recipe book from greenmetropolis a snip at £3.75 delivered, its funny how much the publishers spend on advertising and I have found my best books through word of mouth. looking forward to trying it out............ Jessica

[Jessiebean]

I am mad on pulses/legumes here too. Dahl, chili made with kidney beans, lentil bolagnaisey stuff for pasta, chickpea patties, dips. I have just finished reading Diet for a Small Planet actually and think it has a lot of food for thought but my resources for recipes seem to be better than those of 1970's America. When it comes down to it most cultures have great staple dishes which combine foods for complete protein and I have to say that American Style cookery can sometimes be an aquired taste for me. HAving said that cornbread is a favourite at the moment- I just omit the sugar.
I love my pressure cooker for beans actually. Cuts cooking time down by at least half and soaking isn't needed. I don't know how anyone who eats a lot of beans and wholegrains does without one...
Anyone else use one?