“Eat poor on New Year’s, and eat fat the rest of the year,” goes the saying in the American South, where black-eyed peas are eaten at New Year’s for luck.The peas are said to represent coins and are served alongside greens, which represent paper money. The dish tastes…
Lentils and Potatoes with Curry MAKES: 4 servings TIME: About 1 hour You may want to double this recipe so you have some handy in the fridge or freezer, because it reheats beautifully. Don’t worry if the potatoes crumble a bit on the second go-round; they will…
Mung Bean Dal with Apples, Coconut, and Mint MAKES: 4 to 6 servings TIME: About 1 hour, largely unattended Many dals rely on deep flavors, but here’s an example of how fresh, bright ingredients can set off the natural heaviness of beans. The result is a hearty…
Urad Dal with Poppy Seeds and Cilantro MAKES: 4 servings TIME: About 30 minutes, largely unattended The best translation for urad dal is peeled and split black lentils, but that’s not quite right either. Never mind; youв’ll find them in Indian and Asian…
Stewed Fava Beans with Tahini MAKES: 4 servings TIME: About 11/2 hours, largely unattended Cooked beans and tahini always make a great combo, with real depth, richness, and incredible flavor. This mix can also be pured and served as a dip with toasted pita chips, like…
Flageolets, French Style MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 1 to 2 hours, largely unattended Flageolets, the small pale green beans that are actually immature kidney beans, are adored in Western Europe and are known for their delicate flavor. The addition of cream simply…
Black Beans with Orange Juice MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 30 minutes with cooked beans An odd-sounding combination, but trust me, a delicious one. The sweet acidity of the orange juice works nicely with the earthy flavor of the black beans. Using a fruity red wine…
Chili non Carne MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: About 2 hours, largely unattended A straightforward and delicious chili that can be completely customized to your taste. Increase or decrease just about anything or add pressed tofu, tempeh, or even nuts to bulk up the…
Espresso Black Bean Chili MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: 11/2 to 2 hours, largely unattended This deep, richly flavored chili has enough caffeine to keep you awake literally. (Bear this in mind when you’re serving it; use decaffeinated espresso if you or your…
Black Soybeans with Soy Sauce MAKES: At least 4 servings TIME: About 2 hours A popular side dish in Korea and Japan, these are intensely flavored and delicious, with an unusual and wonderfully firm texture. Other beans you can use: regular soybeans or black beans. 1/2…
Spicy Soybeans with Kimchi MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 11/2 hours A wonderful way to incorporate kimchi into a main dish. The kimchis pungency and spice are absorbed by the soybeans, creating a deeply flavored and warming onepot meal. Other beans you can use: pinto,…
Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Tofu MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: About 21/2 hours, largely unattended In all good conscience I can’t call this hoppin John, the classic southern bean and rice dish, because it doesn’t have a ham hock. And since I’m not a…