Kid friendly bean recipes?

[Maleldil's daughter]

For both health and budget reasons, I would like to get my family eating more bean-based meals. Problem is I'm the only one who really likes beans. Dh will accept them in certain dishes (curry, spicy chili, taco salad), but ds doesn't like any of those things. So far we haven't gotten him to accept Mexican/TexMex food even tho we've been in the US 8 months now. The only beans ds has liked are canned pork and beans, but that's not something I care to make a habit of.
Ideas? I'd be interested in a homemade healthier baked bean or sweet and sour sort of thing. Or maybe like a black bean hamburger? If anyone has family-approved recipes please share!

[2sunshines]

I make navy beans regularly and puree them in to recipes (specifically soups and sauces) as a good thickener. Kids have no idea they are even eating beans! It's fantastic.

[SalH]

I made slow cooker Boston baked beans last week. The sauce was great but I do think The beans could have been softer. I used navy beans. I have researched, and it's something to do with sugar content and wonder if simply they should have been cooked longer, maybe the recipe should have been better.

So Google Boston baked beans and try a recipe you like the look of. Because mine wasn't perfect I'm hesitant to say "hey try this...".


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[2sunshines]

Originally Posted by SalH

I made slow cooker Boston baked beans last week. The sauce was great but I do think The beans could have been softer. I used navy beans. I have researched, and it's something to do with sugar content and wonder if simply they should have been cooked longer, maybe the recipe should have been better.

So Google Boston baked beans and try a recipe you like the look of. Because mine wasn't perfect I'm hesitant to say "hey try this...".


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navy beans are my absolute go to bean and I cook it up very regularly. They've never not been soft enough. Are you soaking them overnight before cooking? And what is your cooking method and how long?

I've never cooked them stove top. I used to use the crock pot and now that I have an instant pot, I use that.

[SalH]

Yes. I soaked them a long time before making up the freezer crock pot recipe (Baggie method, defrost, dump in slow cooker, add more liquid and hey presto).

Baked beans in a can are always navy beans. Why are they always soft?!!!


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[knitlove]

Originally Posted by SalH

Yes. I soaked them a long time before making up the freezer crock pot recipe (Baggie method, defrost, dump in slow cooker, add more liquid and hey presto).

Baked beans in a can are always navy beans. Why are they always soft?!!!


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Do you have any idea how old your beans were? Older beans can be tough.

---------- Post added at 09:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------

Will your family do soups at all? What about a lental and sauage soup? You can cook it untill the lentals fall apart and then it thick broth.

[SalH]

Yes. My beans were old. I did wonder whether that was the thing.


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[mamaKristin]

Have you tried red lentils? They are easy to add to dishes, if not being a stand-alone part of a meal. They break down nicely and are smoother in texture for a lot of people vs. beans.

I add red lentils to a LOT of dishes, and have them in a few dishes on their own.

[Aerynne]

Originally Posted by mamaKristin

Have you tried red lentils? They are easy to add to dishes, if not being a stand-alone part of a meal. They break down nicely and are smoother in texture for a lot of people vs. beans.

I add red lentils to a LOT of dishes, and have them in a few dishes on their own.

Red lentils are good. You have to rinse and rinse and rinse them until all the bubbles are gone, though, or they are gross.

Black beans (pureed) can be used in place of oil in any chocolate baked-good recipe and white beans (also pureed) in anything else including soups, cheese sauces, or baked goods. I don't think it would be good in yeast breads but in anything with baking soda or baking powder in it like cookies, muffins, cake, brownies, etc.

My kids like bean burritos and soups where there are beans but lots more of other things like noodles and veggies.

Roasted chick peas are good. You can flavor them like anything- lemon pepper, barbecue, Italian seasonings, etc.

[2sunshines]

Originally Posted by SalH

Yes. My beans were old. I did wonder whether that was the thing.


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I would imagine that's it.

Originally Posted by mamaKristin

Have you tried red lentils? They are easy to add to dishes, if not being a stand-alone part of a meal. They break down nicely and are smoother in texture for a lot of people vs. beans.

I add red lentils to a LOT of dishes, and have them in a few dishes on their own.

Oh yes! Lentils! My dh is not really a bean lover (tho doesn't dislike them, just doesn't like too many in a dish. He isn't a huge fan of beans in soup BUT really likes lentils in soup. They are smaller and less noticeable.

[knitlove]

Can they articulate what they don't like about beans?

[Maleldil's daughter]

Dh doesn't like beans because he considers them 'tasteless' and 'mushy.' Ds can't really explain why he won't eat them but I suspect it has to do with the somewhat mealy texture and also that he's going thru a very unadventurous eating phase. I tried bean burritos and chicken and black bean tacos to no avail. I made falafel because they both do like hummus - dh liked that but ds wouldn't even try one.
Dh also dislikes soup and soup with beans he considers basically a punishment.
Sauces sounds like a possibility though. Like on pasta? So... Any recipes? No dairy though..
Also is it even possible to make baked beans without too much sugar? All the recipes I am looking at have like a cup of sugar.

[2sunshines]

For almost any sauce that I want thickened, I take cooked navy beans and puree them in to the sauce. Works great and no one even knows they are eating beans.

I do this in soups, gravies, and sauces. For example, just last week I made a chicken broth. After I made the broth, I cooked the beans in the broth, then pureed it and it made a nice beautiful thick broth. Added in the desired veggies, added the shredded chicken and the kids LOVED the thicker consistency of the soup.

[bananacake]

I made a Mexican lasagna that the kids really liked. I used a little DF cheese, salsa mixed with diced tomatoes and refried beans (really homemade pintos puréed with spices). Both kids liked it!


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---------- Post added at 04:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:29 PM ----------

I made a sweet and sour chili. I wonder if it's in my blog


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---------- Post added at 04:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:30 PM ----------

http://oceanskater.blogspot.com/2009...til-chili.html

[2sunshines]

That chili recipe looks good. I've actually never done a meatless chili. So I like the idea of trying something very different than usual. The title includes "spicy". Is that just because of the added cayenne pepper to taste? Without that, I'm assuming it's not spicy. Correct? My kids are not fans of spice.