Perking up bean meals?

[ceeveg]

Hi! I'm trying to perk up my usual beans and rice, and have come up with the following. I'd like to stick to fairly simple recipes, but I don't want to turn my toddler off of the meals entirely.

Here's what I've done so far ...

Black beans, fresh salsa, kale, sweet potatoes, brown rice

White beans, tomatoes, basil, asparagus, whole wheat pasta

Chickpea curry with spinach, potatoes, coconut milk, tomatoes and brown rice

Red beans and rice with a couple of green vegetables

What are some other good sauces/toppings?

I appreciate your suggestions

[ladylove]

I found some great new ideas in the cookbook The Gourmet Vegetarian Slow Cooker (or at least the title was something like that). Some of the new ones I tried include:

-white beans, cooked with sage, bay leaves, and an entire head of garlic, finish with s&p, evoo

-korean black beans: 2 c dried black beans, 6 c water, 1/2 c soy sauce, 2 T honey, 1 T sesame oil (I think that is the right proportions...that was SO good)

Some of my other favorites:
-pinto beans cooked with garlic and onion

-pinto beans cooked into a homemade "Ranch Style Beans"

[*LoveBugMama*]

I just looooove this recipe: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=26274.0 I have used all kinds of beans, not just white. And I always top the beanmixture with a LOT of caramellised onions. Very, very yum!

[germin8]

Oooo, the bean quesadilla reminds me of a black bean quesadilla (Blackadilla) we had at the Quiet Storm Veg cafe. Ingredients were Black beans, basmati rice, sweet potatoes, pineapple & cheddar, with sour cream. It was surprisingly good.

I like to make tostadas. I use the round flat, hard corn tostada. I smear refried pinto beans or black beans. Add optionally, Mexican rice (2 c rice w/ onion and one 6-oz can tomato sauce, cumin, & salt). Then top with black olives, tomatoes, lettuce, & salsa.

Another favorite is chile tortillas (tortillas w/ spice in them) and smear lots of hummus and add mixed greens. Simple. Fast!

Have you tried adobo? I hear it's good.

[Kelilah]

I often simmer blackeyed peas with salt, hot sauce, and a splash of balsamic vinegar (sometimes with a bay leaf and/or chipotle powder), and then serve a bowl of blackeyed peas with honey cornbread on the side. Simple, but soooo satisfying!

[ceeveg]

Wow! All of these ideas sound INCREDIBLE. Thank you, thank you, thank you SO MUCH!!

[citymagnolia]

We eat this salsa at least once a week, many time a week when our garden is producing. It's so easy and fresh, and you can add or omit whatever ingredients you want. We eat a lot of burritos and bowls of grains and beans. I don't think they need anything other than this salsa and a little hot sauce.

Black beans
mango
avocado
tomato
red pepper
onion
cilantro
chili powder
cumin
cayenne, if the kids aren't eating it

[OrangeMoon]

Ooh, I want to try this! I *LOVE* vegweb.com. I think I would add daiya cheese, refried beans and avocado though.

Originally Posted by *LoveBugMama*

I just looooove this recipe: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=26274.0 I have used all kinds of
beans, not just white. And I always top the beanmixture with a LOT of caramellised onions. Very, very yum!

[germin8]

Ooooo, I just remembered another one!!!! It's simple, fast, easy, and fresh!

1 Jicama, peeled & diced into big bite-sized cubes
1 can (or homemade) black beans, drained
1 can sweet corn, drained
1 red bell pepper, diced
couple tablespoons pine nuts
Italian vinagrette dressing for seasoning

Toss all ingredients in a bowl & serve.

[*LoveBugMama*]

Originally Posted by OrangeMoon

Ooh, I want to try this! I *LOVE* vegweb.com. I think I would add daiya cheese, refried beans and avocado though.

I bet avacado would be just looovely with this!