I'm sure you know the rest of THAT song, however I bring beans to your attention for another reason. Since SuperBowl Sunday, Joe and I have become pescetarians. What is a pescetarian you ask? Pescetarianism is the practice of a diet that includes seafood and excludes mammals and birds. In addition to fish or shellfish, a pescetarian diet typically includes some or all of vegetables, fruit, nuts, grains, beans, eggs, and dairy."vegetarian whose diet includes fish." Why, you ask? Well 1. we live on the same block in Milwaukee as a sausage factory. 2. We watched an episode of Modern Marvels that went into great graphic detail on what happens in industrialized slaughter houses. 3. In Michigan, we lived right around the corner from a turkey farm that was not free-range. These 3 things along with further research into growth hormones and pesticides, led us to try the ways of the pescetarian lifestyle. We do not intend to be preachy or self-righteous nor do we plan to gag and shudder if we go to dinner with you and you order a hamburger. Tomato, tomatoe.
So, back to the beans. We don't eat seafood for every meal, so beans and lentils become quite the staple that say beef or chicken were before. I have to say that I have had some black bean burgers that were so delicious even a meat lover would be satisfied. Indian food has always been a favorite of ours ( by always, I mean since the Kipkers awakened us to it last year) and primarily uses beans, veggies, and nuts in most dishes. The trick, I think, with beans is to explore unique seasonings and spices. Tandori, gram masala, cumin, chinese five spice, cilantro...you get the picture.
One of our favorite snacks is hummus, pita wedges and sliced veggies. The hummus selection at most grocery stores has really expanded. That said, YOU, yes you, can make it at home for literally a third of the price or less.
My Hummus recipe:
2 cans drained garbonzo beans a.k.a. chick peas
1/3 can of refried black beans ( I like the ones seasoned with cilantro and lime )
2 T tahini*
4 cloves of garlic
1 T cumin
1 T chili powder ( or Trader Joe's chili pepper sauce )
coupla dashes of your favorite hot sauce ( Siracha is always good)
1 t of tandori spice
1 T olive oil
squirt of lemon or lime
Add ingredients in order into food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
Enjoy with cucumbers, carrots, red pepper, radishes...I can keep going. I like to toast whole wheat pitas in the toaster ( cheater!) and then cut them with a pizza cutter.
* Tahini is a paste of ground sesame seeds used in cooking. You can usually find it in the grocery aisle near the peanut butter or in the international aisle. I have found that tahini is the missing link of hummus and is essential to the recipe.
Oh yeah, if you chew a papaya enzyme tablet after your meals, the less the magical fruit will make you toot.
So, back to the beans. We don't eat seafood for every meal, so beans and lentils become quite the staple that say beef or chicken were before. I have to say that I have had some black bean burgers that were so delicious even a meat lover would be satisfied. Indian food has always been a favorite of ours ( by always, I mean since the Kipkers awakened us to it last year) and primarily uses beans, veggies, and nuts in most dishes. The trick, I think, with beans is to explore unique seasonings and spices. Tandori, gram masala, cumin, chinese five spice, cilantro...you get the picture.
One of our favorite snacks is hummus, pita wedges and sliced veggies. The hummus selection at most grocery stores has really expanded. That said, YOU, yes you, can make it at home for literally a third of the price or less.
My Hummus recipe:
2 cans drained garbonzo beans a.k.a. chick peas
1/3 can of refried black beans ( I like the ones seasoned with cilantro and lime )
2 T tahini*
4 cloves of garlic
1 T cumin
1 T chili powder ( or Trader Joe's chili pepper sauce )
coupla dashes of your favorite hot sauce ( Siracha is always good)
1 t of tandori spice
1 T olive oil
squirt of lemon or lime
Add ingredients in order into food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
Enjoy with cucumbers, carrots, red pepper, radishes...I can keep going. I like to toast whole wheat pitas in the toaster ( cheater!) and then cut them with a pizza cutter.
* Tahini is a paste of ground sesame seeds used in cooking. You can usually find it in the grocery aisle near the peanut butter or in the international aisle. I have found that tahini is the missing link of hummus and is essential to the recipe.
Oh yeah, if you chew a papaya enzyme tablet after your meals, the less the magical fruit will make you toot.
