Cuisine: Beans

Falafel

I love falafel. When I lived in New York there was this guy with a falafel cart on the corner of 5th Avenue and 20th Street near my office. His falafel was phenomenal. The only problem was everyone in the office had to get it together because it had SO much garlic. I recently went to a Persian restaurant near my husband's office and had this wonderful falafel lunch.

Falafel is a deep-fried ball, or a flat or doughnut-shaped patty, made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. It's usually served in a pita, or wrapped in a flatbread. It can also be served over a bed of salad or pickled vegetables and drizzled with hot sauce or a tahini sauce.

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Crunchy Chickpeas 3 Ways

To me, snacks are all about texture and crunch. This is a very healthy, yet satisfying snack. You could slip these in among the chicken wings at your party. I have done in 3 ways. Please note that the chickpeas I used were very small and cooked much faster than 40 minutes. Watch them carefully after 30 minutes in the oven.

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Crunchy Salt & Vinegar Chickpeas

My family has always been obsessed with anything salt and vinegar flavored. These Crunchy Salt & Vinegar Chickpeas are easy to make and so good, you might want to double the recipe.

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Rosemary White Bean Soup

This Rosemary White Bean Soup is a taste of Tuscany in a bowl. It's easy to prepare and you can either soak a pound of white beans overnight or use 3 cans of Cannellini beans.

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Turkish Style Hummus

I make a lot of hummus for the kids at school. I don't think people realize how easy it is to make. I was talking with some friends (and you know who you are!) about Turkish Hummus which doesn't use tahini. This Turkish Style Hummus recipe uses Greek yogurt and plenty of fresh garlic and paprika for a tangy bite. The key to making great hummus is to peel the chickpeas. I have always known this, but never actually peeled the beans. I decided to make it properly and I have to say it does make a difference. If you want to come over, I will give you a glass of wine and you can peel my chickpeas, while I make dinner, of course!

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Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar

I was home alone and rummaged through my pantry and made this Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar from Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook, Simple. Za'atar is a mixture of sumac, sesame seed and herbs used throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It was the perfect dinner channel surfing in front of the TV.

By Leslie Blythe

Cranberry Bean Soup

I bought these Cranberry Beans online from Rancho Gordo. They are amazing heirloom bean producers located in Napa, California. I decided to make this Cranberry Bean Soup. These beans are absolutely incredible, very creamy inside. These beans are versatile and velvety, this thin-skinned Borlotti bean produces a rich, indulgent bean broth, making it perfect for classic Italian dishes as well as simple pot beans. The soup was so easy to make. I actually made it in a slow cooker.

By Leslie Blythe

Cheesy Taco Casserole

This Cheesy Taco Casserole is a quick and easy to prepare for a weeknight dinner.  It's cheesy, meaty, and guaranteed to be a hit with your family!

By Leslie Blythe

Roasted Vegetable and White Bean Salad

This Roasted Vegetable and White Bean Salad recipe from Samin Nosrat is amazing. She said loves showing people that simple, humble ingredients can be extraordinarily delicious. It's so true!

By Leslie Blythe

Black Eyed Peas for New Years Day

Eating Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day is a Southern Tradition for Luck and Prosperity in the New Year.  I think we could all use some luck in 2019!

By Leslie Blythe