The Model Vegan: Beans 101

 The humble bean is a marvel of bio-engineering. Inside its hard-shelled, self-protective skin lurk life-sustaining carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. Beans, along with a little grain are a complete protein. They're fat-free and each type of bean has its own distinctive flavor, its own texture, and its own special uses. This is where the fun begins: we can make literally hundreds, even thousands, of wonderful dishes from these great little sources of perfect nutrition.

If you like so many out there think that eating beans causes gas, well its not entirely true. Many bean recipes call for an apple, or a bit of animal fat, or even sweeteners such as molasses and honey.  All of which, when mixes with beans, will cause gas.
When you cook and eat beans with food that mixes you never get gas. 

My mother always used pinto beans, which I still love.  Now, I cook mostly with Kidney beans. Kidney beans are large, kidney-shaped bean with a subtle sweet flavor and soft texture that keep their shape during cooking. I love the bright color they add to dishes.  No matter what type of bean you are cooking with you have to make sure to wash them several times if you are buying dried beans. Be careful of tiny rocks! 

Here is a simple recipe that is absolutely delicious. Everything is really to taste and will depend on how large a pot of beans you are cooking.

Cooking time will vary from 40 minutes-4 hours depending on if you are using dried beans or canned beans and if you are using a pressure cooker or not.

I usually make this in a pot, not a pressure cooker.  If I am just cooking for my husband and myself I use about 64oz of beans or several cups of dried beans. However, I must note that if you love beans as much as we do you will want to have extra for later!

Also, if you are not used to eating hot and spicy food please go easy on the heat.  I am from New Mexico and love things hot and spicy, to me these beans are not even in the least bit hot, they just taste amazing. To others however, the cayenne can be left out.  I would recommend adding a mild green chile it will enhance the flavor of the beans tenfold.

64 oz of Organic Kidney Beans rinsed well
1 Whole chopped medium Organic Yellow/Purple Onion
1-3 Chopped Organic Tomatoes (depending on size)
Plenty of salt- to taste
Lots of Red Chile Flakes or extra hot Green Chile if I have some- to taste
Plenty of Cayenne- to taste
1-3 cups of Organic Chopped Kale

Cover the Beans with filtered water so it is about 4 inches above the Beans.
Add everything else except the Kale
Bring water up to a boil......then reduce to medium heat and cover with a lid

Cook until the Beans are tender... about 2 hours if you are using Dried Beans/if you are using Canned Beans then cook for about 40 min. Now add your Chopped Kale.

Cook for another 20 minutes or so.... Turn the heat off and leave the lid on the pot.
The longer you let the beans sit the better the flavor.

These are great with Rice, or can be used for Tostadas or even used for a filling in Tamales.
Enjoy!

The Model Vegan