Tuesday, February 22, 2011

You've BEAN good to me.

Well, it's been settled. With your support, (and willingness to participate in night games, dance parties, and endless bowls of frozen yogurt), I will be a shoe in for president in 2012. Luckily, many of you volunteered to fill my cabinet positions, so it's pretty clear that this country will be run by geniuses. I'll call Beiber and get him lined up for our election celebration party.

I just got done stuffing my face with a ginormous salad while watching, The Biggest Loser. I would have/should have taken a photo of it in all of it's glory...I'm pretty sure there was a solid 5 servings of veggies and one serving of fruit. However, I was ravenously hungry and let's be honest, sometimes most of the time hunger comes first.

I learned the COOLEST healthy trick today from one of my clients. I wanted to come home and cook up a storm just to try it, but there was no time today...hopefully tomorrow.

Let me just say first and foremost, that I LOVE BEANS. I may struggle with protein, but I could eat beans all day. White beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, soy beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, sports beans...you get it. They are just SO dang good for you. They are a great source of protein and fiber, and they are a high quality food. They are also easy to keep on hand, and throw into almost any recipe to up the nutritional value and keep you full!

I've done a lot of things with beans in my day...dips, sides, sauces, salads, soups...etc. But today I learned a new use! Pureed beans can be substituted into recipes in place of fat, (Butter, oil, shortening) Amazing, huh?
White beans work best due to their lack of color and their mute flavor. However, if you are using a recipe that is darker in nature such as brownies or chocolate cake, black beans could work just as well.

1. First cook your beans, or simple rinse your pre-cooked canned beans.
2. Next you put them in the food processor or blender and puree them.
3. Substitute the pureed beans straight across (cup for cup) into whichever recipe you're using.
4. Lastly, enjoy your BOMB creation that now has an increased amount of fiber and protein and a decreased amount of fat.

I am planning on whipping up something delicious and bean-i-fied tomorrow! I'll share it as soon as I do. :)


Do you like beans? I most certainly do. I think they are tasty in just about everything. What is your favorite way to eat them? Any great recipes you want to share? I'm always down for new recipes. Have you ever used this method of swapping out the butter for beans? I have heard of people making black bean brownies, but I wasn't aware this was what they were doing. I can't wait to try it!!

18 comments:

Katy said...

I will definitely be testing this theory out soon... I mean, if it tastes just as good, I'm all about it! Haha. Though I did promise the fiance that when I change up his entire meal structure... it has to taste good. :)

Shannon said...

I've heard of the black bean brownies, too, but didn't realize it was replacing fat. And I, too, will be trying this!

And I do like beans! Especially kidney beans in a salad.

Maia said...

I love beans!!!

A Prelude To... said...

I used to make sweet potato brownies all the time, but I never tired using beans. Interesting...

I love beans, but beans don't love me :-(

Toot!
Julie

OneLoveSarah said...

ooohhh I'm excited to try this out! I love beans so this could be awesome

Anonymous said...

I have EATEN a black bean brownie but I have never made them! I'm excited to see your recipe and if they turn out well we could use those to make a brownie sundae with our fro-yo? just a suggestion :)

Jen said...

I've tasted those black bean brownies and really couldn't tell a difference. Maybe I'll have to whip some of those up this weekend! You always give me the best ideas!

Michelle said...

I also love beans, a lot. In addition to the ones you mentioned, I also love lima beans. I buy the frozen bags and steam them, then I add a little soy sauce sauce. Simple and delicious.

Nicole said...

I love beans! When I was little I would just suck them out of burritos and leave the tortilla- kinda gross but I still do it occasionally when no one is looking.
I've heard of the black bean brownies and have always wanted to try them too! Hopefully you'll give them a good review. I came across a recipe on Martha Stewart (I think they were called guiltless brownies), if you are looking for a recipe!

Unknown said...

Beans are my second largest source of protein. I am obsessed! Glad to know I'm not alone in my love of the B-E-A-N. Yummy bean ideas!!!

ShortSkirts said...

nice trick, never done that. I've used applesauce in baked goods before. and that always turns out great

Jody @ Raising Fin and Fish said...

I've made chickpea chocolate chip cookies before.... maybe I'll feature them in an upcoming blog post!

Lauren said...

I've never used beans for butter, but I'm willing to try it out on some things (I'm not giving up butter in my fav choco chip cookies)! Beans are my favorite, I had an amazing channa masala wrap today. Chickpeas are awesome!

Stephanie said...

Beans beans the magical fruit...the more you eat the more you ..... :) :)

nourishedwellness said...

I love beans as well! They are a large source of protein for me since I am a vegetarian. I've seen many recipes for black bean brownies, but have yet to make them. I am excited to see how your bean experiments turn out!

Anonymous said...

hunger always comes first ;)

i don't really eat beans. i mean, i don't have a problem with them but i just don't gravitate towards them.

Beth said...

I just discovered beans as a baking ingredient today! I made chocolate chip and garbanzo bean cookies and they were delicious. Check them out!

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