Last week I stumbled across something (an Instagram post, maybe) talking about a global push to double the consumption of beans by 2028.
Increasing the beans on our plates can be an answer to so many of the issues the world faces:
They assist with food security in a time of cost of living crisis.
Beans are great sources of protein and fibre which makes them a really healthy choice for anyone at all but in a world of chronic disease they are a good choice for anyone trying to lose weight or reverse blood sugar issues.
Bean production is easier on the environment than other foods "Production of meats such as beef and lamb generates up to 250 times more greenhouse gases per gram of protein than for beans, pulses and legumes. They are also an ideal rotational crop, reducing the need for fertilizers—a boon to both the environment and to farmers."
After hearing about this push to get us all eating more beans, I decided I'd make September the Month of the Bean. I'm going to eat beans every day of September.
I'm insulin resistant and my blood sugars are still in the "healthy" range but creeping up, my attempts to lose weight have had some success but I have a long way to go so more beans is a great choice for me and I know I'll do better at it if I make it a challenge and share my progress.
So, while I'm in the planning stage, tell me, do you have a favourite way to eat beans?
By beans, do you mean long green veg that look like asparagus? Or small, roundish white veg that look like buttons? Last night we ate green beans, broccoli and sprouts braised and covered in a thick tomato blend. Luscious!
ReplyDeleteI mean the small roundish buttons :) i should have called them by the proper name "pulses and legumes"
DeleteGrean beans, broccoli and sprouts is a lot of green veg :) You might live forever!
Hels asked the same question- green beans or pulse/legumes? Obviously not tinned baked beans in tomato sauce….but will they get a go as well?
ReplyDeleteKnowing the effect ‘dried beans’ has on me (unless soaked a little before cooking) I take you are the only one living at home now….or maybe you’ll blame the smell on your new dog (whose name escapes me for the moment)
Baked beans on toast will get a go! I still live with two children and Sally isn't big enough to blame haha
DeleteI might need some other strategy
I had a comment half started. I have no idea where it went.
Delete1--blackeyed peas with no salt or other seasoning. 2- blackeyed peas with brown rice and no seasoning at all. 3--Navy beans--no salt, maybe ham in beans. I do start with dried beans. Love Limas and green beans.
above, Practical Parsimony
Deleteabove, Practical Parsimony
DeleteHi Linda,
DeleteI used to cook from dried beans but these days I'm happy with canned.
I honestly cant imagine liking plain rice and beans but I could be wrong
As a vegetarian I eat a variety of beans. If you are going to cook from dry may I suggest you soak them overnight first and cook in fresh water. I would also begin to eat some in the lead up to September as a slower introduction because many people find beans hard on their gut. I eat lots of Indian lentil recipes, for example, dal made with red lentils, to which I often add pumpkin and green beans so it’s an all in one dish. Any soup or stew can be made with added beans for a slower carb meal. Beans are not a complete protein, with the exception of soybeans, so some complementary foods are needed in your diet. I’ll be interested to see how you find your month of beans. Helen
ReplyDeleteany vegetable soup or stew can be made more
Hi Helen,
DeleteI'm not vegetarian but I eat beans fairly frequently and my gut handles them well these days.
I think the protein is complete if eaten with other plants so it should be ok.
I forgot about tofu! It doesn't look beany by the time its tofu 🙂
We love a pot of seasoned beans with cornbread on the side. It is not a glamorous meal but it is darn tasty. I have tried bean burgers and the taste is fine but to me the texture is off putting.
ReplyDeleteI once had a very tasty bean burger with good texture but they are very hit & miss.
DeleteWhen you say seasoned beans, are we talking salt and pepper?
Seasoned with bacon fat, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes or cayenne, onions, and sometimes tomatoes. They are slow cooked so the flavors mix and the beans are very soft. I do soak the dried beans overnight before cooking them.
DeleteThank you :)
DeleteNow, you mentioned bacon fat, after watching a comedian talk about southern cooks and bacon fat, I need to ask, do you keep it next to the stove?
Such a beautiful presentation in this photo, Kylie! I love baked beans, green beans, yellow beans, kidney beans! Pinto I am not familiar with but the ones I mention I am, and love!
ReplyDeleteThe picture was on the website, its a scotch egg style but coated in falafel mix. All served on hummus.
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of baked beans but I eat them. They all can be good or bad
August has been our family's pumpkin month, we have eaten pumpkin in some form everyday.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I could also take up the bean challenge for September? Megan.
Did you grow the pumpkin, Megan?
DeleteTheres nothing better than free pumpkin but I have to admit I hate cutting it
I agree, cutting them can be difficult. These are Japs, so not too bad, not as hard as a Queensland Blue. It was an only after we had eaten pumpkin for six days in a row that we decided to see if we could get to the end of the month. We have now declared every August will be our Pumpkin Bumpkin Month. With a few days to go we have eaten five and a half homegrown pumpkins, with eleven to go.
DeleteI love it!
DeleteI feel shamefaced, but I don't like beans. I eat a lot of broccoli, and fish. No red meat.
ReplyDeleteSx
P.S Good luck!!
DeleteSx
Broccoli and fish are great choices!
DeleteAs you know, I'm a vegetarian but I don't eat a lot of beans. Borlotti beans, baked beans and green beans mainly. You can add borlotti beans to all sorts of dishes - curries, stews, pies. We have green beans as a side vegetable. Good luck with your bean blitz!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nick.
DeleteYou can use other beans like kidney, cannelini or navy beans in the same dishes as borlotti beans
I'm a fan of what I think of as an Italian version of baked beans: borlotti beans with an onion celery tomato sauce, garlic herbs (esp oregano) wine and stock and lots of parsley. Can be a meal in its own right or can be a combined vegetable side dish to meat (which would defeat your purpose though it could be a very small quantity - say a single lamb cutlet) or eggs if more variety sought.
ReplyDeleteHi marcellous and welcome!
DeleteThat sounds like a delicious dish and adding a wee bit of meat doesn't defeat the purpose because its still less meat, more fibre and good blood sugar control