ProVarinati Diner & Saloon and Beyond

[DancingHeretik]

Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

That does look good. And, even simple enough for ME to make.

I made my first batch of Great Northern Beans and Ham, I remember my mom made these when I was growing up. My first batch was very good, it should give me several meals over the next week. I think I like these beans better then the pinto beans. I found one online store that sold these in bulk, but could not find anything local, just 16 oz bags. I just used the beans, ham, and spices. I read a bunch of recipes online, that add onions carrots and such, but I didn't have them. It might seem funny that I am just now discovering how good beans can be, but it is true. Evidently not only do they taste very good, but are also good for you, my doctor even said so. I just needed to share this some where.

KAS

We just got a larger crock pot. I think it's time for some beans. I miss them!

One can nearly live off beans alone if they had to.

Just mix with some brown rice and you have a complete protein, but with a lot more extra nutrients than meat has.

When i make a batch of New England baked beans, I freeze the leftovers in pint mason jars. those jars hold just the right amount for my wife and I to have one serving each. Usually I'll make a batch after cooking a smoked pork shoulder to use up the leftover meat. It's an all day affair making them, but really zero effort required, just get 'em going in the morning in a dutch oven and check them every couple hours or so. Boy does the house smell good while they're cooking

You're making me hungry!

 

[JimzDogz]

I made my first batch of Great Northern Beans and Ham, I remember my mom made these when I was growing up. My first batch was very good, it should give me several meals over the next week. I think I like these beans better then the pinto beans. I found one online store that sold these in bulk, but could not find anything local, just 16 oz bags. I just used the beans, ham, and spices. I read a bunch of recipes online, that add onions carrots and such, but I didn't have them. It might seem funny that I am just now discovering how good beans can be, but it is true. Evidently not only do they taste very good, but are also good for you, my doctor even said so. I just needed to share this some where.

KAS

I ate Pinto Beans at least once a week while growing up. As a young adult I fell in love with Red Beans and Rice while working and living in and around New Orleans. It's a easy meal to prepare and cheap to make. When I make red beans and rice I also add smoked sausage and a tray of corn bread. Like they say in New Orleans it's so good it'll make you want'a slap yo mama.

 

[kas122461]

When i make a batch of New England baked beans, I freeze the leftovers in pint mason jars. those jars hold just the right amount for my wife and I to have one serving each. Usually I'll make a batch after cooking a smoked pork shoulder to use up the leftover meat. It's an all day affair making them, but really zero effort required, just get 'em going in the morning in a dutch oven and check them every couple hours or so. Boy does the house smell good while they're cooking

I ate Pinto Beans at least once a week while growing up. As a young adult I fell in love with Red Beans and Rice while working and living in and around New Orleans. It's a easy meal to prepare and cheap to make. When I make red beans and rice I also add smoked sausage and a tray of corn bread. Like they say in New Orleans it's so good it'll make you want'a slap yo mama.

I think I will look at finding some kidney and navy beans now, based on the search I just did. The New England ones use Navy beans, and the Red Beans are Kidney Beans. I have had Red beans and rice, it is good stuff, but I have never made it myself. I have been putting some of my pinto beans in with one of my rice recipes, I was amazed at the different flavor produced by simply add beans to it, it was so good. The other good thing about all this is, that it is very cheep to make these, which is very important right now.

KAS

 

[kas122461]

View attachment 734543 It’s been a while since I’ve been in the saloon. I actually quit vaping back in September. I gave all my vape gear to a friend. A bit of stress recently gave me the desire to start vaping again. My friend offered to give me back all my old stuff. It’s comforting to hold my old friends again. Soooo much better than cigarettes!

Nice to see things haven’t changed too much around here!

I remember you! Welcome back.

KAS

 

[Bronze]

I think I will look at finding some kidney and navy beans now, based on the search I just did. The New England ones use Navy beans, and the Red Beans are Kidney Beans. I have had Red beans and rice, it is good stuff, but I have never made it myself. I have been putting some of my pinto beans in with one of my rice recipes, I was amazed at the different flavor produced by simply add beans to it, it was so good. The other good thing about all this is, that it is very cheep to make these, which is very important right now.

KAS

You ought to share a couple of these recipes with us.

 

[Bea-FL]

As vegetarians hubs and I eat beans (black, kidney, black-eye, pinto, garbanzo) with most meals to provide us with extra protein. I throw some in almost all soups and stews. And of course red beans and rice is a great meal by itself. I make mine by adding some onions, thyme and a smidgen of cayenne pepper to the cooked beans, then I mash some of the beans to make it thicker. There is really no wrong way to make this dish.

I used to cook my beans in a pressure cooker and keep a contsiner in the fridge to use as needed. Then my pressure cooker died of exhaustion and I boyght canned beans. Now I have my Instant Pot so once again I buy my beans dry.

Here is a copy cat recipe for the Panera black bean soup. If you've ever had it you know it tastes great.

BLACK BEAN SOUP - (like Panera)
1 onion, chopped
2 small veg bouillon cubes
1/2-1 teaspoon cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup hot water
1/4 large red bell peppers
2 cans black beans, undrained (or 2-3 cups cooked with their liquid)

In a pot, combine the first six ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes. Add half a can of beans, cook for 5 minutes. Puree soup. Add the rest of the beans to the soup. Salt to taste. Add enough water to make soup a little thinner but not too thin.

Lately I've been using a cup of vegetarian stock instead of the water and veg cubes.

 

[Bronze]

As vegetarians hubs and I eat beans (black, kidney, black-eye, pinto, garbanzo) with most meals to provide us with extra protein. I throw some in almost all soups and stews. And of course red beans and rice is a great meal by itself. I make mine by adding some onions, thyme and a smidgen of cayenne pepper to the cooked beans, then I mash some of the beans to make it thicker. There is really no wrong way to make this dish.

I used to cook my beans in a pressure cooker and keep a contsiner in the fridge to use as needed. Then my pressure cooker died of exhaustion and I boyght canned beans. Now I have my Instant Pot so once again I buy my beans dry.

Here is a copy cat recipe for the Panera black bean soup. If you've ever had it you know it tastes great.

BLACK BEAN SOUP - (like Panera)
1 onion, chopped
2 small veg bouillon cubes
1/2-1 teaspoon cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup hot water
1/4 large red bell peppers
2 cans black beans, undrained (or 2-3 cups cooked with their liquid)

In a pot, combine the first six ingredients; simmer for 10 minutes. Add half a can of beans, cook for 5 minutes. Puree soup. Add the rest of the beans to the soup. Salt to taste. Add enough water to make soup a little thinner but not too thin.

Lately I've been using a cup of vegetarian stock instead of the water and veg cubes.

I copied it last time you posted it and made it. It was good.

 

[ENAUD]

View attachment 734543 It’s been a while since I’ve been in the saloon. I actually quit vaping back in September. I gave all my vape gear to a friend. A bit of stress recently gave me the desire to start vaping again. My friend offered to give me back all my old stuff. It’s comforting to hold my old friends again. Soooo much better than cigarettes!

Nice to see things haven’t changed too much around here!

Nice to see you back! Good on you for returning to vaping instead of the other route.

 

[kas122461]

You ought to share a couple of these recipes with us.

Okay sure.

This is how I have been making my Pinto beans.

2 1/2 cups of Dried Pinto Beans (Soaked for 24 hours in 7 cups of water)
1 teaspoon of crushed Red Pepper
2 teaspoons of salt (I have just started to leave this out, doctors orders)
1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon of Chili Powder
1/4 teaspoon of Cajun Powder (I use Tones Brand)
I have sometimes added some Garlic powder as well 1 or 2 teaspoons.

I do not drain off the soaking water, because it holds a lot of flavor, I put everything in a large pot, and bring to a boil. Then turn the heat on low and cook for about 4 or 5 hours, adding aprox 2 cups of water during cooking as need to keep the beans covered. I don't have a crockpot so this is all stove top.

The great northern's are a work in progress, but this is what I made last night.

2 1/2 cups Dried Great northern Beans. (soaked in 8 cups of water for 24 hours) Also don't drain the water
2 1/2 cups of sliced or cubed Ham. (I used some ham leftovers from Easter)
1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon of Curry Powder
2 Teaspoons of Garlic powder
1 teaspoon of Rose Mary
1 teaspoon of Thyme
1 teaspoon of Parsley
1 teaspoon of Chives.

The Rose Mary, Thyme, Basil, and parsley, I use a mortice and pedistal to crush them up in to a powder. I then throw everything in a pot, bring to a boil, then put it on low heat, and I think I cooked it for about 4 hours. (Edit I had to add water several times to keep them covered, not sure how much)

This was surprisingly good, it could use some onions, and maybe a few other things, but this was my first try with these.

KAS

 

[classwife]

When I cook dry pinto beans I boil them first with baking soda in the water - then I drain that green water and rinse, then fill pot with fresh salted water to continue cooking.
It makes living with people that eat it much more pleasant as it mostly de-gasses them.

 

[kas122461]

When I cook dry pinto beans I boil them first with baking soda in the water - then I drain that green water and rinse, then fill pot with fresh salted water to continue cooking.
It makes living with people that eat it much more pleasant as it mostly de-gasses them.

I read a bit about that yesterday, about the degassing thing, but they just used water, never mentioned baking soda. I read that you are reducing the flavor of the beans, if you throw away the soaking water. I live alone so not worried about it too much, but something to think about. I have been using Gas-X though. I used to avoid beans for this very reason, but because of limited budget, it is just a very good way to eat cheaply. Beans are kind of a new thing for my regular diet, so just learning about them

KAS

 

[classwife]

I read a bit about that yesterday, about the degassing thing, but they just used water, never mentioned baking soda. I read that you are reducing the flavor of the beans, if you throw away the soaking water. I live alone so not worried about it too much, but something to think about. I have been using Gas-X though. I used to avoid beans for this very reason, but because of limited budget, it is just a very good way to eat cheaply. Beans are kind of a new thing for my regular diet, so just learning about them

KAS

It doesn't reduce the flavor one bit

I learned this from the pros in California - I can make dang good Mexican food for a red head !

 

[classwife]

and I don't soak, it goes straight to boil.

 

[Bea-FL]

I copied it last time you posted it and made it. It was good.

oops. Sorry. I didn't remember posting it earlier. The mind goes as one ages

Okay sure.

This is how I have been making my Pinto beans.

2 1/2 cups of Dried Pinto Beans (Soaked for 24 hours in 7 cups of water)
1 teaspoon of crushed Red Pepper
2 teaspoons of salt (I have just started to leave this out, doctors orders)
1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon of Chili Powder
1/4 teaspoon of Cajun Powder (I use Tones Brand)
I have sometimes added some Garlic powder as well 1 or 2 teaspoons.

I do not drain off the soaking water, because it holds a lot of flavor, I put everything in a large pot, and bring to a boil. Then turn the heat on low and cook for about 4 or 5 hours, adding aprox 2 cups of water during cooking as need to keep the beans covered. I don't have a crockpot so this is all stove top.

The great northern's are a work in progress, but this is what I made last night.

2 1/2 cups Dried Great northern Beans. (soaked in 8 cups of water for 24 hours) Also don't drain the water
2 1/2 cups of sliced or cubed Ham. (I used some ham leftovers from Easter)
1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon of Curry Powder
2 Teaspoons of Garlic powder
1 teaspoon of Rose Mary
1 teaspoon of Thyme
1 teaspoon of Parsley
1 teaspoon of Chives.

The Rose Mary, Thyme, Basil, and parsley, I use a mortice and pedistal to crush them up in to a powder. I then throw everything in a pot, bring to a boil, then put it on low heat, and I think I cooked it for about 4 hours. (Edit I had to add water several times to keep them covered, not sure how much)

This was surprisingly good, it could use some onions, and maybe a few other things, but this was my first try with these.

KAS

Both sound yummy!

I read a bit about that yesterday, about the degassing thing, but they just used water, never mentioned baking soda. I read that you are reducing the flavor of the beans, if you throw away the soaking water. I live alone so not worried about it too much, but something to think about. I have been using Gas-X though. I used to avoid beans for this very reason, but because of limited budget, it is just a very good way to eat cheaply. Beans are kind of a new thing for my regular diet, so just learning about them

KAS

Most people have the gas issue when they first start eating beans regularly but after a while it goes away.

and I don't soak, it goes straight to boil.

Me too.

 

[Katdarling]

I ate Pinto Beans at least once a week while growing up. As a young adult I fell in love with Red Beans and Rice while working and living in and around New Orleans. It's a easy meal to prepare and cheap to make. When I make red beans and rice I also add smoked sausage and a tray of corn bread. Like they say in New Orleans it's so good it'll make you want'a slap yo mama.

THWACK!

 

[DancingHeretik]

THWACK!

View attachment 734729

I wonder how many people are gonna get that?

 

[Katdarling]

Those who do.

(which is to say, with this crowd, MOST) (I hope)

 

[coldgin96]

I wonder how many people are gonna get that?

They make great Monopoly playing pieces.
Jackie and I have both stainless and delrin.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

What is "pureed soup". Like thickened? Steamed out?

 

[DPLongo22]

THWACK!

View attachment 734729

I wonder how many people are gonna get that?

Those who do.

(which is to say, with this crowd, MOST) (I hope)

They make great Monopoly playing pieces.
Jackie and I have both stainless and delrin.

"Yeppers."