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 guests are...
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 fan of faux meats,...
White Bean Pure MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 10 minutes with cooked beans One of the most useful bean preparations there is, this pure can serve as a side dish, sauce, spread, or dip (and is great as an appetizer served with bread or pita chips and carrot and celery sticks...
Refried Bean Dip MAKES: At least 8 servings TIME: 10 minutes with cooked beans A basic bean dip that's great with tortilla chips, though you could serve it with almost anything: raw sliced vegetables; grilled, broiled, or fried tofu cubes; pita, toast, or crackers you...
Hummus MAKES: 4 to 6 servings TIME: 15 minutes with cooked chickpeas A Middle Eastern classic that's become a standby dip or spread in many homes in the United States, hummus has that distinctive chickpea flavor mixed with the nuttiness of tahini. Make it as nutty,...
Chickpea Fondue MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: 20 minutes with cooked chickpeas Throughout the Mediterranean, chickpeas are often pured to make rich sauces, and that's the idea behind this wonderful spin on fondue. When you cook chick-peas yourself (which is what I...
Mashed Favas MAKES: 4 servings TIME: About 1 hour A true Mediterranean classic, a perfect use for favas, and a great mashed potato substitute, with lots of possibilities; see the list at right. Other beans you can use: limas, gigantes, or cranberry beans. 8 ounces...
Smashed Edamame and Potatoes with Miso MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 30 minutes Any miso can be used in this recipe. White will add a bit of sweetness, the darker ones more earthiness. Be sure to salt to taste, as some miso is much saltier than others. Bear in mind, too,...
