Beans and Greens MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 1 to 21/2 hours I never tire of this classic combination, especially since there are so many possible variations. Regardless of the flavors, it's a texture thing; the beans should be somewhat creamy and the greens should be...
Beans and Mushrooms MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 1 to 21/2 hours, depending on the bean The earthy flavors of beans and mushrooms complement each other perfectly; use dried or fresh mushrooms, in virtually any combination see the variations. To emphasize the mushroom...
Braised Lentils, Spanish Style MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 45 minutes Earthy and slightly smoky (use Spanish pimentіn, the wonderful smoky paprika). Make it saucy but not soupy you want enough liquid to sop up with crusty bread. Add a salad and you have a good, simple...
Quick-Cooked Edamame with Kombu Dashi or Soy Sauce MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 15 minutes This super-easy and delicious little dish cooks up in no time and makes a terrific lunch hot or cold on top of soba noodles or rice. If you don't have dashi or stock, use soy sauce...
Kidney Beans with Apples and Sherry MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 20 minutes with cooked beans Sauting produces a texture completely different from that of stewed bean dishes, with distinct, separate ingredients. The apples make this dish especially nice with simple boiled...
Gigantes with Brussels Sprouts MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 20 minutes with cooked beans The varied textures and rustic flavors of this dish make it a real winner. It's incredibly versatile as well: Substitute just about any vegetable for the Brussels sprouts and use any...
Fried Mung Beans with Sesame MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 15 minutes with cooked beans Super-simple, especially if you have cooked beans on hand. And because the beans are not at all soupy, you can use this as an ingredient to fortify other recipes like Fried Rice, Mashed...
Edamame with Tomatoes and Cilantro MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 25 minutes This simple but high-powered recipe can take two completely different forms depending on technique: Cook the tomatoes with their juices for a saucy dish or add them at the last minute for a fresher,...
Cooking Beans, the Quick-Soak Way MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: 2 hours to soak, plus 30 minutes to 2 hours to cook, largely unattended The recommended method and the easiest way to cook beans because for most of the time they aren't cooking at all; they're soaking....
Cooking Beans, the No-Soak Way MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: 30 minutes to 4 hours, largely unattended This is the only method you need for lentils and split peas, which cook pretty fast and don't absorb a lot of water. The main advantage of cooking other beans this...
Cooking Beans, the Long-Soak Way MAKES: 6 to 8 servings TIME: Up to 12 hours to soak, plus 30 minutes to 2 hours to cook, almost completely unattended Many recipes instruct you to soak beans overnight before cooking. But that means they could be soaking for up to 24...
Cannellini Beans with Cabbage and Pasta MAKES: 4 servings TIME: 30 minutes Serve this wonderfully rustic dish piping hot on a cold day or at room temperature when it's warm outside. Flavorful stock is key here. The cavatelli is my first choice, but any small pasta is...