Hello all. Hope this finds you all well this morning. It is low 40's here. We did have some pretty color in the sky as the sun rose. Today will get warm again, then come Sunday we go back to winter for a bit. Hey, it is 10 weeks until Spring - we will manage.
I thought I would talk about some things today that I have an abundance of. Dry beans, peas and pasta - I have it all.
I have all kinds of dried beans and such - split peas, lentils, black beans, red, navy, baby lima, pinto, and even fava - barley as well.
I think if worse came to worse - with the dried beans (protein) and the pasta (carbs) and fiber with both - I could live for ages and not be hungry. Of course, one needs other things to add to those and trust me I have it, with the pantry and freezer.
These are items that are so inexpensive to buy. I often find them on clearance or super sale and kept dry - they last for ages. I try to keep most of my beans and pasta in glass jars (or at least large heavy plastic ones). I add bay leaf to every jar - to help repel any insects (it works).
It is truly coming up with ways to use them all.
I know lots of people add lentils to ground meat or just to recipes to replace or stretch ground meat. I like to add red or black beans to my taco meat, to add more protein and to extend a smaller amount of meat.
You can add an egg to pasta and maybe a bit of dry binder (or cheese) if you wish - and place on a pizza pan and use as a crust. I love baked spaghetti - lasagna, etc. Now also remember that if you don't have lasagna noodles - no problem! Add a layer of whatever pasta you have instead of the large noodles and make lasagna just the same.
I like beans of all sorts and I am lucky that they give me no problems to eat. I add beans to lots of things.
There are just so many uses for both of these things. Salads (for both), soups, casseroles, skillet dinners, beans can be mashed and made into refried, pasta can be added to cooked eggs for a breakfast (as can beans), there is just no end to these cheap and simple ingredients.
Add meat (if you choose), tomato products, cheese, any kinds of other veggies, etc. and you can have a huge assortment of meals.
Just a couple basic things, can transform other ingredients and you will never be hungry!
Rice is the same for me as well - I have lots and lots of that and use it as a great extender in meals as well.
So that is my idea today for inexpensive and multi-versatile ingredients.
Do you have any special way of using either to transform other ingredients?
I will try to show how various simple ingredients can be transformed over the next few weeks.
Have a lovely day - stay warm and dry and safe.
Count every single blessing - you may be amazed.
It does look to be a nice day! At least for January. We'll take it!
ReplyDeleteLots of ways to use a filler, like pasta, to stretch a meal. Beans are always a good way to plan a meal. I was told that if the dried beans are very old, soak them and cook them a bit longer than usual. If you were like me, you grew up on beans and cornbread. I saved your recipe block to Pinterest.
I am asking for prayer for Erin. She has had at least two heart attacks and after having a CT scan with contrast, they found that she has had some light strokes. She found a fabulous cardiologist and he is in the process of referring her to another specialist to see if they can "roto-rooter" the arteries or she needs a stent(s). Her blook pressure is good and her cholesterol is normal. A niece of mine had a stroke last fall, and two of my nephews have had open heart surgery. Erin's dad's family, along with him, have a history of heart problems. Thank you!
Yes, older dry beans do take longer.
DeleteOh goodness, that is so scary. She is awful young to have that kind of trouble. Most definitely will add her to prayers. I sure hope it is easily repairable and that she has no more problems.
I posted a comment about a pasta comparison video I watched on YouTube but then read it might be an AI video. Still, it will make me read the boxes more carefully.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a good thing to read all the labels anymore. You just never know. Things come from many places around the world, that truly have disgusting habits and some that are way above our standards. It pays to be aware. Know your ingredients and countries of origin.
DeleteI am so grateful that I love beans and pasta.
ReplyDeleteME TOO! I could survive about anything I do believe.
DeleteLots of beans, pasta, and grains here as well. I have begun to purchase my spices in the International Foods areas as they are bigger bags and much less expensive. I use lots of spices in my cooking.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Spices and herbs can transform the blandest ingredients into a special meal. That is a good idea.
DeleteOh Cheryl, Sissy and I love all beans, legumes, and pasta, not to mention rice! The Husb likes none of it, makes it hard to plan and cook certain things, but I tell him if he was starving, he would eat it1
DeleteSmall canning jars are good for storing those spices bought in bulk. I have mine on a turntable in a cabinet, out of the heat, out of the sun.
DeleteI like to cook fine sliced apples with raisins and a bit of cinnamon and ginger. If I have fresh pineapple I add that to the mix. Cinnamon and powdered ginger are available in bulk at my health-food store.
MaryB
I agree - if he gets hungry enough - he would eat it. I just wonder why people have such dislikes of so many things. I think I would still fix and then fix something he could eat for a few days.
DeleteMary, yes canning jars are so practical and can be used for just about anything.
DeleteOh yum, I love friend apples with a little cinnamon and sugar. Raisins would be yummy with that. Can't believe I never thought of that - I have in pie, but not just in the skillet.
Beans are great! Pasta is yummy! It sure is convenient that all this is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to store. They're good for any meal. And, as you say, rice also. Parboiled (converted) is best for long term storage, I hear. Big glass canning jars with metal lids for the win! :)
ReplyDeleteMaryB
Exactly - very inexpensive, can be made in numerous ways, and easy to store. Win-win for me! I love glass jars. I have a few gallon size jars I use too.
DeleteI enjoy beans and pasta but have never learned to cook lentils. Or at least I've never found a recipe I thought I'd enjoy with lentils in it.
ReplyDeleteRice is definitely a staple in our home as well. It is easy and pairs with just about anything.
Lentils can be tricky, I think. Seasoned and with ground beef has been my way, but many make soup with them.
DeleteRice is a mainstay for me as well.
I cooked dried lima beans with carrots last week and will probably cook red beans and rice since we nearly upon Mardi Gras season here! I do not have any sausage but I do have ham. I am not a purist regarding any dish. I just use what I have and don’t stress over it. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of baby lima beans! Your meal sounds good. I like you, just cook with what I have - don't follow a recipe too close!
DeleteI love this, Cheryl. Beans are such a frugal way to fill both our bellies and pantries. Same goes for rice and pasta. We love all of them too. One of my favorite dishes growing up that Mom made was rice and cheese. I still love it today and it’s inexpensive and filling.
ReplyDeleteThese are very filling ingredients and so inexpensive. Most everyone can afford and there are just so many ways to fix them. Rice and cheese sounds yummy!
DeleteI have been making one kind of dried bean each week and freezing them. I do this mostly with pinto, Great Northern, and black beans. That way I always have a "can" of beans. Last week I made Cuban Black Beans and rice and the week before that ham and lentil soup.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. I like that. You are being very smart.
DeleteBoth dishes sound so good.
What a great post! I had a friend who used to mash up black beans and add them to her spaghetti sauce (and not tell her kids). Beans are so versatile. Growing up, we had a big pot of pinto beans every Sunday. I still try to cook them like my dad did :)
ReplyDeleteThat is good to add to spaghetti sauce. I have mashed them and made 'burgers' as well. They are just so good and good for you.
DeleteThose old ways seem to be the best!
Hi Cheryl! I bought a bag of 15 bean soup yesterday and plan to use my Christmas hambone for seasoning. I love pasta and bean meals. Just checking in, we are hanging in here, busy with Dr appts, etc, but things are ok right now.
ReplyDeleteI think I have been stuck on just making beans ...you know a mess of beans. I'm going to try to incorporate them more and use them up. Thanks for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteThere are some dried chickpeas languishing in the cold storage room. I intend to make falafel. There's a hambone in the fridge that will be added to the crockpot with dried beans. Pasta = comfort food in this house.
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm. It sounds like you have a good plan. YES, I always find pasta to be a comfort food - especially when you add cheese of any sort!
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