Heather says: Last month Deneice, a member of the Home Ec 101 Community*, shared several of her recipes with me, including a recipe for white chicken chili. This simple recipe is easily adaptable to use what is in your refrigerator and pantry. Deneice’s recipe called for lima and cannellini beans, but as I had neither I…
Bean Recipes
Bean Recipes
White Chicken Chili for the Slow Cooker or Crockpot®
Sue Polinsky’s No Tomato Chili Recipe
Heather says: When it comes to chili, I’m not picky, really. There have been very few chili recipes I’ve met that I haven’t enjoyed. That said, I know how some of you feel about chili, there are those who feel it isn’t chili if it contains: [insert ingredient here]. I’m just happy when you share…
Silky Smooth Green Pea Soup Recipe
Bobbie says: Now is the perfect time of year for hearty soups to warm the body and spirit. Served with bread (homemade or from the store) and perhaps a salad, this thick, creamy soup makes a great lunch or light supper, and pea soup is surprisingly easy to make from scratch. Once upon a time,…
What to Do With Dried Beans: An Ask the Audience
Dear Home-Ec 101, I’m hoping you will have a couple of ideas – we stocked up on a bunch of pantry things before going car-free, and I now have a surplus of every kind of dried bean, and no clue what to do with them. I’m hoping to find a few good main dish recipes,…
Last-Minute Bean and Corn Salad Recipe
Bobbie says: Have you ever been almost, but not quite, ready to serve dinner when a giant light bulb goes on over your head (so brightly that everyone in the room gets an instant tan) because you suddenly realized that all you actually have prepared for dinner is grilled chicken and potatoes? Or burgers on…
Lentil Burgers
Heather says: In our house we try to keep meatless Monday in the rotation, but before we get into the recipe itself, let’s get one thing straight. You aren’t ever going to convince an omnivore that a lentil burger is just like a real hamburger. Just get that out of your head right now, it’s…
Hoppin’ John
Heather says: In my corner of the south, Hoppin’ John is a traditional New Year’s dish believed to bring good luck. I’m not superstitious, but some traditions, like this one appeal to me. Every year on New Year’s Day we serve Hoppin’ John, collard greens, and cornbread. Hoppin’ John is a nice, flavorful version of…
Important Info for Cooking Dried Beans in a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Heather says: Yesterday when I wrote the post on how to cook with dried beans, I had that nagging feeling, you know the one that says I was forgetting something important. It turns out I was, I edited it into yesterday’s post, but I wanted to be sure everyone saw the update. Unless you are…
How to Cook with Dried Beans
Dear Home Ec 101, I thought if anyone might have the answer to my questions about dried beans, it would be you – I need a “definitive” guide to dealing with dried beans. So far, my Internet and even cookbook searches always yield really varied results. Should I add salt? Vinegar? Baking soda? None of…
Collard Greens and Northern Beans
Heather says: The North and South get along just fine when there is bacon involved. I’m hoping to begin adding more recipes that focus on seasonal fruits and vegetables. Here’s to the first of many. Don’t be too heavy handed with the cheese, in this case it is just an accent, just let the smoky…
When Dry Beans Go Bad
Dear Home Ec 101, I am on hour sixteen, and they still aren’t tender. I gave up the stove top and moved them into a crockpot hours ago.(electricity to run the crockpot is far less expensive than the cost of the gas for the stove) They soaked for 2 days, not kidding. what am I…
Lentil Pilaf, Side Dish
Heather says: This side dish is great for those avoiding simple carbohydrates. It would also easily convert to a vegetarian / vegan dish simply by switching to vegetables stock. I pull out this recipe as the temperatures start to drop, I particularly like it next to the slightly sweet vegetables of Autumn (squashes, pumpkins, roasted…
Refried Beans: Back to Basics
Heather says: My mom grew up in Arizona and has fond memories of a neighbor who made tortillas and refried beans. It has become a quest of mine, I want to know how these things should taste, not like Taco Bell tells me they ought to. Remember the pinto beans from last week? The leftovers…
How to Use Dry Beans in Recipes
Dear Home-Ec 101, Everyone acts like dried beans are the end all. How do I get the beans in the bag to work like the beans in the can? I’ve soaked them overnight and they still aren’t like what I get out of a can. Am I legume challenged? Signed, Baffled Bostonian Heather says:…
Black Bean Burrito Recipe
Heather says: Meatless meals are often great for the wallet. This recipe can be prepared with canned or dried beans. If you use dry black beans, cook 1/2lb dried beans until soft. I put mine in the crockpot the morning I want to make the burritos, cover them with water, and turn the crock on…
Beans and Rice a Budget Friendly Dinner
Heather says: You’ve heard that rice and beans can reduce your grocery budget. On the rare occasion, we have ham, I freeze the bone and save it for a week when I need our grocery dollars to stretch just a bit further. Cornbread rounds out the meal nicely and keeps the grand total, for us,…
Pseudo Shepherds Pie Recipe
Heather says: Traditional Shepherd’s pie contains lamb, gravy, and vegetables, covered with mashed potatoes. Its close cousin cottage pie contains beef. This version substitutes vegetable stock for the broth used to make the gravy and contains kidney beans to provide protein. As the mashed potatoes contain milk and are topped with cheese, this one dish*…
Lentil Casserole
Heather says: This lentil casserole recipe is light on the budget, simple, and filling. 2 cups dried lentils 4 cups water 1TBSP extra virgin olive oil 1 onion – diced 2 cloves garlic – minced or pressed 2 celery ribs chopped 2 carrots – chopped 1 red bell pepper (optional) 1 green bell pepper (or…
Black Bean Soup Recipe
Heather say: Sure beans are economical, but are meatless meals actually tasty? They can be. This vegetarian recipe is better when it has simmered for a while and is perfectly suited for the crockpot. Black Bean Soup Ingredients: ~ 1 TBSP olive oil 1 onion – diced small 2 cloves garlic – minced 1 carrot…
Beans, beans- the musical fruit
Dear Home-Ec 101, To save money, I have started incorporating a lot of dried beans into my diet. Unfortunately, I’ve been experiencing lots of, um, gastrointestinal distress. To put it bluntly, my gas is very embarrassing. I don’t want to take beano, are there any other ways to combat this? Thanks, Gina in Gaston Ivy…
Beans, beans. . . you know the rest
Dear Home Ec 101: I am working to improve our diet and I’ve read that dried beans have a lot less sodium than canned. I’m not a planner and can never remember to soak the beans the night before. Can I do a big batch and freeze them in portions? ~Trying in Trenton Heather says:…
Lentil Enchiladas Recipe
Heather says: I have debated posting this recipe for several days. It was good, but not a slice of heaven on a plate like the recently posted tomato pie. Once the enchiladas were smothered in salsa, I did enjoy them. The filling recipe is vegetarian and makes enough for 16 enchiladas, I made half and…
Two Bean Tamale Pie Recipe
Heather says: Partly for our health and partly for our budget we try to eat meatless one night a week. This recipe could easily be converted to vegan by omitting the cheese and using an eggless recipe for cornbread. This is Betty Crocker’s version with minor tweaking. Two Bean Tamale Pie Ingredients 1 TBSP…