Beans/Peas??

I'm starting to eat healthier and I need help. I know I'm supposed to eat 3 cups or so of beans and peas a week (www.mypyramid.gov); however, I HATE beans and peas. Anyone have any recipes that I can sneak beans or peas into and not taste them? I kind of like pinto beans, so any recipes including those would be good also, but I do want a variety of beans and peas in my diet. Any recipes you have are appreciated!

Thank you :-)

Darn. I wish I could be of more help, but I am a bean lover, so most of my recipes feature beans prominently. Do you know what it is about them that you don't like? Texture, taste, etc?

I love black bean soup with the beans pureed in the food processor. It makes a thick yummy soup and you can sprinkle a tiny bit of cheese or crushed chips on top.

You could try pureeing white beans and adding them into mashed potatoes, or even using them as a thickener for another recipe. I have not tried this, so I can't guarantee that it works - it's just a random idea that I had.

Hummus is delicious and doesn't taste like beans, at least not to me.

Good luck! You might even adapt to them and become a bean convert.

Thanks! These are good ideas. I think the texture is the problem with most of them. Putting something kind of solid in your mouth and then breaking into it with you teeth to reveal a mushy middle. Grosses me out really bad. So maybe if they're already mashed up (like in your soup), it would be ok. The taste is usually ok. Thanks again!

No problem! I don't experience the texture issue, but I can understand where you're coming from. My BF has some food texture issues as well. If it's the texture and not the taste, you might want to experiment with smaller beans. Lentils won't have that same texture, especially if you can get the red ones (masoor dal) available at middle eastern stores or at Whole Foods. Here's my recipe for red lentils: it's pretty adaptable, you can use whatever spices you have on hand, or add chicken or tofu for protein. I eat it with a big dollop of plain yogurt and some flatbread.

Also, you can try baked falafel. It works best if you use dried chickpeas and soak them overnight, rather than using canned (cheaper, too!).  Again, I usually eat it with yogurt and flatbread.

I'll see if I can think of any other bean recipes that lack bean-y texture.  

These recipes looks really good! Thanks!

keloucks,

a favorite of myself and my friends is nacho night! we heat up canned chili beans (which are just pinto beans in a spicy chili sauce), make some brown rice, and pour it over tortilla chips, and add some shredded cheese. voila! easy and yummy. a serving is about 500 calories, depending on how much chips and cheese you use. good luck!

Oh i love beans.
Lol they're just so tasty.
And i prefer the texture compared to meat or tofu or anything else like that.
Have you tried making bean patties?
My mum buys cheap baked beans and i wash the sauce off and use them to make bean patties.
(Cheap and then they are also pre-cooked. They're usually Navy beans or Haricot beans, depends where you live/what brand you buy)

The patties are just as followed:
1 can of washed beans
1/4 cup of flour
1 egg (can just use 2 eggwhites)
pinch of salt and oil to cook in (Oil isn't required if you have a really good non-stick pan but they do turn out differently)
Finely chopped onion or spices can be added for extra flavour.

I suppose they do have an "odd" texture though.
Anyway, something else to think about at least :)

Original Post by keloucks:

Thanks! These are good ideas. I think the texture is the problem with most of them. Putting something kind of solid in your mouth and then breaking into it with you teeth to reveal a mushy middle. Grosses me out really bad. So maybe if they're already mashed up (like in your soup), it would be ok. The taste is usually ok. Thanks again!

What about chickpeas (garbanzos)?  They have a firmer texture.  If you get a chance, try some hummus.  A lot of people who don't like whole beans like it.  Also, pinto beans mashed with some salsa and heated are acceptable to many who don't like beans.

Bean dip! Any canned bean will do but it really helps if you have a food processor to mash 'em up really good. Just throw a can of beans (drained), a minced garlic clove, salt, a few sprinkles of cumin, some salsa and a little bit of olive oil into the food processor. Add more salsa and/or oil if it's too stiff. Add some chili powder if you like more zip. Eat with raw veggies! So yummy!

you can mash them (I use a food processor) and use them anywhere you would use ground beef like in burgers or meatloaf.  Experiment until you find a proportion of beef to beans that preserves a texture you like. 

I have a cookbook that recommends using pureed white beans in baked goods as a substitute for fat, in part or completely. This has several advantages: it adds beans to the diet, it increases the protein content of the baked goods, and it decreases the calories in baked goods by lowering the fat. I've tried that, and it doesn't have a noticeable affect on flavor but tends to make the baked goods a bit denser.

 

I also love to make chili from scratch (or canned lowfat chili is good too) and put it over salad ala Wendy's Taco salad with just a tiny bit of cheese over and either non-fat yogurt or non-fat sour cream instead of regular fat sour cream. This is a super quick and delicious lunch or dinner! 

The original recipe  for black bean brownies was from "The Brilliant Bean" by Sally and Martin Stone.   It has been changed and modified so many times it's hard to credit it to anyone anymore.  Here is one version that is very good.  I don't know who's version this one is, but it only has 86 calories per serving and is very good.  Black Bean Brownies 1 (15 ounce) can unseasoned black beans, drained and rinsed 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups Splenda sugar substitute 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons oil (or 2 TBS unsweetened applesauce for Phase 2) 1 tablespoon vanilla 1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese  chopped nuts (optional)

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth-you will have to scrap down the sides a few times to make sure it is evenly blended.
3. Pour into an 8x8-inch pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Sprinkle additional cocoa powder on top if desired.
6. Cover with saran wrap to keep fresh or freeze in individual pieces and defrost in the microwave whenever those munchies set in!

Nutrition Facts
Calculated for 1 serving (55g)
Recipe makes 16 servings The following items or measurements are not included below: 1 1/2 cups Splenda sugar substitute
low-fat ricotta cheese
 Calories 86
Calories from Fat 29 (33%)Amount Per Serving%DVTotal Fat 3.3g5%Saturated Fat 0.7g3%Polyunsat. Fat 1.2g Monounsat. Fat 1.0g Trans Fat 0.0g Cholesterol 53mg17%Sodium 100mg4%Potassium 195mg5%Total Carbohydrate 9.1g3%Dietary Fiber 2.6g10%Sugars 2.2gProtein 5.5g10%Vitamin A 63mcg1%Vitamin B6 0.1mg2%Vitamin B12 0.3mcg5%Vitamin C 0mg0%Vitamin E 0mcg1%Calcium 83mg8%Magnesium 29mg7%Iron 0mg5%Alcohol 0.3g   Caffeine 2.3mg