Kindly reminder: Beans’ benefits bear repeating
From
| February 17, 2010
In Frugal Food & Facts, Healthy Living
Featured Recipe: Chili Beans over Rice
So beans are cheap. Duh. But fast forward to your digestive system and they’re practically a miracle cure. Chili Beans over Rice is just one example of a full-flavored recipe that's also low in fat but there's a lot more to it than that.
For starters, beans are a good source of soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol, keeps your arteries flexible, and helps protect against heart disease and high blood pressure. (And if you take your Beano, yes, they’re really good for regularity. Can’t believe we just said that.)
That ought to be enough, but no! Beans have almost as much protein as meat but almost none of the fat or cholesterol. They contain folic acid, which is the stuff that helps prevent birth defects and also heart disease. They’re a good source of iron, potassium, and other minerals.
When researchers from Tulane University followed 9,500 people over 19 years in a diet and health survey, they found that participants who ate at least four servings of beans a week were 20 percent less likely to suffer from heart disease when compared to those who ate beans less than once a week.
Now pardon us while we go take our medicine – uh, beans.
What are your favorite, healthy ways to make beans?
Comments
From Alicia Ross - May 12, 2009
Hi Carol, Salsa Beans and Rice has kidney beans instead of pinto, adds olives, has no green chilies, has corn and is topped with cheese instead of sour cream. But the main difference is the tomatoes. Just about any style tomatoes will work in both recipes and each variety will slightly change the flavor. Thanks!
From Wendy B - May 12, 2009
I love the new site....and the pictures are great!! I tend to cook a lot by pictures in books or magazines, well, those are the things that tend to catch my eye first. And this looks fantastic!! Even my "meat-and-potatoes" hubby would eat this!
From Carol - May 12, 2009
Thanks, Alicia! I'll try this one soon. The husband likes anything Mexican -- especially if he can roll it in a tortilla (which he does with Salsa Beans and Rice). I'll be trying the Chipotle chicken on the grill for Memorial Day!
From Alicia Ross - May 12, 2009
Hi Wendy, Let us know if you try it and what your husband thinks! If he thinks he needs some "meat" you can always serve a grilled chicken breast with it.
From Robbie - May 13, 2009
bean can be more delicious than meat and cheese when you cook it properly and use correct spices and herbs
From Margot - May 14, 2009
I like the new webdsite and especially this interactive blog. I've planned for the chili beans on rice for tomorrow. There is a problem with the link to Jerry's Immortal Beans. Both the title and the "read more" take me to a page that says no such page exists.
From Alicia Ross - May 14, 2009
Thanks Margo! Oops! I just opened the recipe, so it is there now.
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Historic (or at least old-fashioned), here are Beverly’s go-to beans for cookouts and impromptu potlucks.
Read full recipe.My Books
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Have a question?
We hope you'll tell us, but we hope you'll ASK us, too! Send your questions to alicia@kitchenscoop.com and we'll try to find the answers.
From Carol - May 11, 2009
I LOVE the new site! How is the recipe different from Salsa Beans and Rice in my ALL TIME favorite cookbook, Desperation Dinners?