Warm and Hearty Comfort Food - Try Beans

As I sit here contemplating the winter of 2010 I'm thinking about comfort food. This winter has been a doozy, one snowstorm after another. We decided to make a very comfortable for cooking several bean dishes.

There are all types of beans including crowder peas, butter beans, navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, black eyed peas, pinto beans, and great Northern beans.  Beans are packed will of nutrients, fiber, and they don't contain a lot of fat. 

The good thing is you don't have to feel guilty about eating beans. They are very healthy and cost-effective. You are in to barbecue like we are then beans it right in because the best tasting beans are flavored with smoked meat.

Here are some help will tips on cooking beans:

When cooking beans mix up varieties.  Beans have different tastes and textures. Add butter beans, field peas, and black eyed peas sugar snap peas, they make a great combination.

For a very rich flavor cook your beans in chicken or beef broth rather than water.

When picking unshelled peas look for pods that are flexible and well built with very tender seeds.

Did you know that acid salt can keep the beans from coming tender? Cook the beans first before adding salt, tomato, or other acidic ingredients.

We have several bean recipes for you and we also have some links to sites that have great recipes. Enjoy this month’s issue!