Searching for Healthy Bean Recipes

Posted by amy in News

Did you know that beans are full of protein, fiber, folate, potassium and more?!

I’m not a huge fan of beans but the health benefits of these damn things just keep popping up everywhere. I’d like to give myself a pat on the back because in the last few years, I’ve really upped my legume intake – chili, black beans in tacos* and hummus. I’m guessing these occasional dishes aren’t really giving me all the benefits that beans are offering up. So I’m out to find a way to enjoy eating beans. Here’s what I’ve found so far – let me know if you’ve tried any or if you have a favorite dish/secret ingredient!

Healthy Bean Recipes and Cooking Tips – EatingWell

Healthy Bean Recipes – FitSugar

Call me crazy but my mouth is absolutely watering over this black bean and sweet potato burger! I wonder if I can get anyone else in my house to eat them?! I’ll keep you posted.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burger Recipe

Bean Cooking Guide – FoodFit

Finally, the awkward question on everyone’s mind – Don’t beans cause gas?!

Yep. They sure do. (Last year I made an AWESOME bean soup and let’s just say, no one wanted to be in the same room with anyone else! [cringe.])

Supposedly, soaking beans eliminates the sugars that cause gas so soaking them for a couple of hours or even over night can help to eliminate this issue.

from Whole Foods Market:

Let your body adjust. If you don’t eat beans often, your body never fully adapts to the extra work required to digest their complex sugars. Begin by eating beans 2 to 3 times each week, then gradually increase the quantity.

Add a little something extra. Certain ingredients like a few bay leaves, a generous pinch of cumin, 6 fresh leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried) epazote or a 2-inch strip or two of kombu have gas-reducing properties when added to beans while they cook.

Ok. Well, I have recipes that look awesome and ways to deflate gas so I guess nothing is stopping me from boosting beans in my life. Here we go…

*One of my most favorite (& popular) recipes is a tofu taco and I included it in my Favorite Recipe PDF – leave an awesome comment below and I’ll send it to you!

WithAmyMac.com