More with Beans and Legumes..

In my previous post, I listed some health benefits of Beans and Legumes. I also included a video about how to make and use bean flour in one application.

Today, I am listing one of my favorite soups ever...Taco Soup. It is easy, tasty, and uses many food storage ingredients which includes beans. I got this recipe from a group called "Organized Christmas" a number of years ago.

Taco Soup

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Combine these ingredients, cook and drain. Add the following to the pot:

• 1 can whole kernel corn
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1 Large can diced, stewed tomatoes
• 1 can Ro-tell tomatoes (if you can't find these, look for tomatoes with diced chillies, or in a pinch a good hot salsa or picante sauce will do).
• 1 pkg Taco Seasoning Mix (1 Tblsp)
• 1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (I have actually poured in an amount from a my dressing bottle before)

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for an hour (or keep the water to a minimum and put it in the crock pot for all day)

Serve over tortilla chips or tamales. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheeses, and or cubed avocado.

This next recipe is from the book "Country Beans" by Rita Bingham. I like it because it is fast!

Refried Beans (in 5 minutes!)

• 1 1/2 Cup pinto or black bean flour (use your grain mill to grind the beans into flour)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant minced onions (optional)

Mix and store in airtight container. To prepare, whisk 3/4 C of mixture into 2 1/4 C warm water in a small saucepan. Cook, while stirring, over medium heat for 1 minute, until mixture thickens. Don't worry about lumps--they taste great too! Reduce heat to low, cover pan and cook 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup Picante sauce, if desired. (Mixture thickens as it cools and will stay thick even after heating).

Try one of these soon!.....they are really good!