This great way to enjoy garden fresh green beans is adapted from a recipe of Stella Nedovich of Toronto.
Mild, buttery lima beans, available frozen in supermarkets, lend a lovely pale green colour and rich texture to this dip, which is equally good made with chickpeas or white beans. Zahtar is a Middle Eastern spice mixture that's available at Middle Eastern grocers, but is a cinch to make yourself. Increase the jalapeño peppers to two, if you enjoy the heat.
A double dose of vanilla – from the bean and the extract – lends a beautiful perfume and taste to this silky pudding. Use pure vanilla instead of imitation for a true, clean flavour.
Serve with: Garden salad. Beans are packed with both soluble and insoluble fibre, which can help to keep your digestive system regular, regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol and protect against some cancers.
The savoury flavour of black bean sauce with the freshness of asparagus makes this an all-in-one addictive treat.
The longer this quick-and-easy salad stands, the more flavour the beans absorb. For best results, make it a day ahead and serve at room temperature.
Orange and honey balance the saltiness of the black bean garlic sauce. This pungent but delicious Chinese sauce is available in the Asian section of most supermarkets.
A whisper of hot pepper sparks this mix of beans and tomatoes. If you like, a garnish of shaved Parmesan cheese would be attractive and tasty.
A full-flavoured soup loaded with calcium from broccoli, beans, milk and cheese hits the spot on a cold night. For a nondairy version, omit the cheese and milk; add enough water to thin soup.
This flavourful white bean pur?e takes only seconds to make in a food processor. Homemade pesto is best, but if you don't have any, storebought works too.
