SunflowerHill

Beans

I love reading the posts on Homestead Blogger!  In some, I see myself many( well not too many LOL) years ago with a house full of children, and I wonder how the years got away from me so fast.  In others, I see my creative self as I sewed and created for my children.  Still in others I see the gardener me.  I planted my first garden when I was 5 years old. But now I am old enough to be the mother ofmost of you.  I get excited  when I read of your successes and I cry and pray with you.  I only have 2 of my 18 children at home now.  Only 5 of them live somewhat near me. I have one on the east coast and one on the west coast.  The rest live north of me a little over 200 miles.  That is where the work is.  They all love the old homestead.  Once a month one of them hosts the monthly birthday party to celebrate the birthdays for that month.  With 34 grandchildren we have a lot of birthdays, not to mention the parents birthdays.

Well, now to get on with cooking with what you store. I would like to start with beans.  What would your family do if all they had to eat was beans? Read on.  Beans are an ideal food to store.  No special handling is required and it keeps long term.  but as with everything is should be rotated. I like to keep my different beans stored in plastic (5 and 3 gal) buckets.  I get mine free from the market bakery where I shop.  The buckets (with tight fitting lids) keep the water and bugs out.

There are many ways of pre-preperation for using your beans.. The best method I have found for ME, is to soak them over night, drain and discard the water and rinse them, then add more water and cook. Soaking beans over night starts the sprouting process which develops enzymes. Prepared this way really helps with the digestive problems some have with beans.

Since I use beans a lot, I cook up a big pot full.  When cooked and cooled, I spoon them into plastic bags, usually 4 cups to a bag. I stack he bags flat on top of each other and put them in my freezer.  Then when I need some, even if it is only about a cup, they are cooked and ready to go.  Another thing I do is pressure can several quarts of different varities of beans.  These I use for "instant meals".

Most beans contain only 2-3 %fat.  Beans have no cholesterol .  Beans are one of the richest sources of fiber. Beans are high in Protien-most contain at least 20% protien . Beans provide essential B vitamins and iron. And at this point in time I purchase beans in bulk for less than 10 cents per serving.

Now you are saying "but my family doesn't like beans". Aww the art of being a sneaky cook!  If your family doesn't care for beans you need to  introduce them slowly, and put them in foods they do like.  You can start by mashing up a cup of cooked beans and adding it to your meat loaf, spaghetti sauce, tacos.   Add them to your vegetable soups, stew, the list is endless.  For example........... If your family likes tuna sandwiches, here is my families favorite. 

1can tuna-drained

1 cup mashed beans

1 tsp chicken bullion or soup base

2 large Tbs. or more to taste mayonaise 

1 large Tbs. prepared mustard

1 large dill pickle. chopped

1/2 cup shredded cheese

Mix all together. My family loves these sandwiches grilled.  They are great with homemade tomato soup.

After you have been serving these hidden beans for a while , you can explain the your family that they have been eating beans!  More to come.                                                        

Herbed Tomato Soup

11:04, Friday, May 16, 2008 .. Posted by CarrieAnn7

I have been "lurking" around your blog for a few weeks now (hope you do not mind). It is such a joy to sit and listen to your kind and loving words about your dear family. I am a young mother and it is a joy to hear you speak of your grown (and growing) children; your parenting and meal tips. What a blessings.

Well, we just had tomato soup last night (a family favorite) and when I read your most recent entry I thought I would share with you our recipe (I am sure your version is wonderful also) to add to your sandwich idea.

Herbed Tomato Soup
1 onion chopped and sauted in 1 T. olive oil
4 cups canned tomatoes (homegrown)
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups V8 --or-- 1 cup tomatoe sauce
1 T. Italian Seasoning
1 t. salt dash of pepper

Blessings; CarrieAnn

Beans!!

08:07, Saturday, May 17, 2008 .. Posted by InHisHands

I'm also an appreciator of beans. I cook them in bulk in the crockpot and then spread them in a baking dish and freeze overnight. Then I put them in a large bag and take out what I need as I go along. They sure are packed with lots of goodies. My favorite bean is the bolotti bean.

Untitled Comment

03:29, Saturday, May 17, 2008 .. Posted by morningsunshine

I have just discovered your blog, and I am adding you to my friends list! My goodness, I want to sit at your feet and learn! but since I have no idea where you are, and I am in Utah, that will probably never happen, so I will just read your blog instead!